Busch's Three-Run Blast Fuels Cubs to Victory Over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Michael Busch launched a three-run homer into McCovey Cove in the fifth inning, bolstering Javier Assad's impressive pitching performance as the Chicago Cubs triumphed over the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Friday night. This notable hit marked the 176th splash hit recorded at Oracle Park, with Busch becoming the fourth Cubs player to achieve this feat, the first since Joc Pederson on June 3, 2021.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Seiya Suzuki delivered an RBI double, followed by Nico Hoerner's sacrifice fly that allowed Suzuki to cross home plate. Assad (4-1) showcased his skills by striking out five batters, walking one, and allowing just three hits over six innings, marking his third consecutive win over his last seven starts. Although he committed a throwing error during a pickoff attempt on Bryce Eldridge in the fourth, he managed to keep Eldridge stranded at third base.

In the seventh inning, Hoby Milner took to the mound, followed by Trent Thornton, who pitched the final two frames and gave up a solo homer to Eldridge in the ninth. Busch later welcomed reliever Erik Miller with his eighth home run after the Cubs had put runners on base due to a double from Pete Crow-Armstrong and a leadoff walk to Carson Kelly against Giants starter Landen Roupp (5-7), who yielded four runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings.

This victory marked only the Cubs' third win in their last seven outings. Previously, San Francisco had dominated Chicago with a 18-3 win last Friday and a close 2-1 victory in extra innings on Sunday. Despite the loss, the Giants still hold a 7-3 advantage in their matchups since the beginning of the 2025 season, outscoring the Cubs 63-35. Additionally, San Francisco has a strong 6-2 record at Oracle Park against the Cubs since 2024.

Jung Hoo Lee, who went 0 for 3 in the game, saw his impressive 18-game hitting streak come to an end, the longest by a Giants player since Angel Pagan's 19-game streak in 2016.

Looking ahead, the Cubs will send RHP Ben Brown (2-2, 1.74 ERA) to the mound for the middle game, where he will face Giants RHP Trevor McDonald (2-3, 4.15), who is making his second consecutive start against Chicago.