Ian Happ's leadoff homer, Matthew Boyd's 6 shutout innings help Chicago Cubs beat St. Louis Cardinals 8-0

Chicago Tribune

26-06-2025

ST. LOUIS — Ian Happ hit a leadoff home run and drove in three, Matthew Boyd gave up three hits in six scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-0 on Wednesday night.
Reese McGuire and Kyle Tucker also homered for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Boyd (7-3), who struck out three and did not issue a walk, has allowed two or fewer runs in his last six starts.
Ryan Brasier, Michael Fulmer and Porter Hodge combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief to close out the Cubs' seventh shutout of the season.
Erick Fedde (3-7) allowed a season-high-tying seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings for the Cardinals.
Garrett Hampson made his Cardinals debut, starting in center field before moving to shortstop and tossing a scoreless inning in his second career pitching appearance.
McGuire hit his fifth home run of the season to right-center to drive in Michael Busch and give the Cubs a 4-0 lead in the second.
Dansby Swanson doubled to center to lead off the second and scored on Busch's single.
Happ hit the first pitch down the right-field line for his 10th career leadoff home run and his third this season. Happ has hit nine of his 12 homers this season in a 19-game stretch since June 5.
The Cubs are the only National League team and one of three in the majors, along with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, that has not had a four-game losing streak this season.
The Cubs will activate left-hander Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.82 ERA) off the injured list to make his first start since May 4. The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Andre Pallante (5-3, 4.48) in the finale of the four-game series Thursday.