Cubs come through in late innings, top Reds

Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson hit solo home runs to lift the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

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The win allowed the Cubs (86-69) to pull a full game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top wild-card playoff spot in the National League. The Phillies lost 10-3 to the Mets earlier Saturday.

The San Diego Padres, who were tied with the Cubs and Phillies heading into play Saturday, played later in the day.

The Reds fell to 72-83. The teams will play the rubber game of the series Sunday.

Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (9-5) gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) in five innings. The left-hander walked two and struck out four in 71 pitches.

Ryan Rolison picked up his third save by getting the final out.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo (3-6) gave up seven hits and three runs in seven innings. The left-hander walked two and struck out one in 90 pitches.

The Cubs started the scoring in the second after Nico Hoerner led off with a double to center. Busch was hit by a pitch. Hoerner moved to third on a fielder’s choice by Carson Kelly and scored on a deep sacrifice fly by Matt Shaw.

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Chicago made it 2-0 in the fifth after Swanson led off with an infield single. Swanson moved around to third on groundouts by Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman and scored on a single to left by Seiya Suzuki.

Boyd had allowed only a walk and had retired 11 straight before running into trouble in the fifth.

Eugenio Suarez led off with a walk. JJ Bleday followed with a one-out single to right. Suarez headed to third on the play and shortstop Swanson uncorked a wild throw that allowed Suarez to score and make it 2-1.

Ke’Bryan Hayes tied the game with a two-out single to center to bring home Bleday.

After Busch made it 3-2 in the sixth with his 20th homer, Chicago scored an insurance run in the eighth. Pinch hitter Ian Happ walked with one out and went to second on a wild pitch.

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Hoerner drove him in with a single past shortstop for a two-run Cubs lead.

Swanson’s 19th homer gave the Cubs a three-run lead in the ninth.

–Field Level Media

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This story was originally published September 19, 2026 at 9:37 PM.