Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/29/26): Cardinals 6, Cubs 5 – Homer Issues Cost Cubs Again
The Cubs failed to continue their winning streak against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium Friday night. The main culprit in the loss, as it has been so many times this season, was the starting pitcher giving up home runs.
Chicago had an excellent beginning with Ian Happ crushing a three-run homer off of Andre Pallante in the top of the 1st inning. Unfortunately, Shōta Imanaga continued his recent struggles by giving up his own three-run homer to old friend Nelson Velázquez in the bottom of the frame to even the score.
The North Siders went back ahead in the 2nd on an RBI single by Michael Busch. St. Louis tied the game when light-hitting third baseman Thomas Saggese took Imanaga deep for a solo homer in the bottom of the 4th.
Catcher Ivan Herrera supplied the go-ahead power with his own solo blast off the Cubs starter in the 5th. The Cardinals added what would be important insurance with an RBI single by Masyn Winn against reliever Phil Maton that made it 6-4 in the 8th.
Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled off of closer Riley O’Brien to open up the ninth inning and he scored on a ground out by Busch but that would be it, as Chicago went down 6-5. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs stranded seven runners on base between the 1st and 4th innings, which really came back to haunt them later.
Why the Cubs Lost
Giving up too many home runs and the offense drying up against the opponents’ bullpen proved the difference Friday.
Stats That Matter
- Imanaga’s problem is out of control right now: 5.1 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 2 K, and 1 BB.
- Busch had three hits and two RBI.
- Happ has homered in three consecutive games and also doubled.
Bottom Line
The Cubs are going to have to do something to address their home run issues, as they have given up 82 of them as a team in 2026. It’s hard to win when the opponent is doing that much extra-base damage.
On Deck
Game two of the series is on Saturday night at 6:15pm CT. Ben Brown goes up against Kyle Leahy in a matchup broadcast exclusively on FOX with a radio feed on The Score.
