Kyle Stowers’ 21st home run broke a scoreless deadlock and helped the Miami Marlins edge the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Wednesday, postponing Chicago’s chance to clinch a playoff spot for the second night in a row. The Cubs needed a win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss to Colorado to secure a National League wild-card berth but fell short as Miami held firm late.
Stowers launched a two-run homer off Cubs starter Kevin Gausman in the top of the sixth inning, giving Miami a 2-0 lead. Chicago responded immediately in the bottom half when Dansby Swanson, who drove in both Cubs runs, hit a broken-bat single into left field, bringing home two runs to even the score.
The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Joe Mack’s groundout drove in Augustin Ramirez, putting the Marlins back ahead 3-2. Miami’s bullpen then shut down the Cubs over the final innings, retiring the last nine batters they faced.
Cubs reliever Ryan Rolison absorbed the loss, falling to 9-2 for the season, while Miami’s Cade Gibson earned the win. Gibson, the second of four Marlins relievers used, fanned two in the seventh inning. Sandy Alcantara closed out the ninth for his second save.
Gausman struck out seven batters over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with one walk. The Marlins starter, Ryan Gusto, pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out five.
Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was one stolen base shy of joining the 40-40 club, went 0 for 3 with a walk. He remains at 45 home runs and 39 stolen bases for the season.
The Cubs have yet to name a starter for Thursday’s final home game of the season. Miami plans to start right-hander Tyler Phillips, who owns a 5-6 record with a 3.45 ERA this year.
The Marlins’ victory snapped a three-game losing streak that followed two consecutive wins, shifting momentum slightly in the closing stretch of the regular season. Chicago’s playoff fate now hinges on results elsewhere and their outcome in the season finale.
According to Yahoo Sports.