Shota Imanaga throws 5 sharp innings in return from injury as Cubs beat Cardinals 3-0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Shota Imanaga returned from the injured list to throw five innings of one-hit ball, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday for a split of a four-game series.
Michael Busch homered and singled and Carson Kelly also had two hits for the NL Central-leading Cubs.
St. Louis was shut out in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Five Chicago pitchers combined on a three-hitter.
A left hamstring strain cost Imanaga (4-2) nearly two months. In his Busch Stadium debut, Imanaga gave up a first-inning single to Masyn Winn and then retired 10 batters before issuing his lone walk.
Imanaga, an All-Star last season as a rookie, lowered his ERA to 2.54.
Daniel Palencia allowed the first to batters to reach before striking out the side in the ninth for his eighth save in nine opportunities.
Busch hit a 3-2 fastball from Andre Pallante (5-4) over the wall in right field in the second inning. He scored again in the fourth when Ian Happ drew a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk.
In the eighth, Pete Crow-Armstrong scored from third when Dansby Swanson was caught trying to steal second. Key moment
In the first inning, Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson made an over-the-shoulder catch to rob Seiya Suzuki of an extra-base hit. Happ, who led off with a single, was near shortstop Burleson made the catch and cut across the infield to get back to first base. The Cardinals tagged second for an inning-ending double play. Key stat
Busch is hitting .353 (12 for 34) in his last nine games. Up next
Cardinals: Begin a three-game series at Cleveland on Friday with Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.72 ERA) facing the Guardians' Luis Ortiz (4-8, 4.30).
Cubs: Had not announced a starter for the opener of a three-game series at Houston. Brandon Waler (0-1, 3.80) starts for the Astros.
__
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
recommended
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
26 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Wells, Grisham return but Yankees lose again, drop into first-place tie with Blue Jays
Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Yankees catcher Austin Wells returned to action Wednesday following a three-game absence, coming on as a pinch runner in the eight inning of New York's 11-9 loss at Toronto. The Yankees are 13-18 since May 28, losing six of the past 10 series. 'We've got to play better,' slugger Aaron Judge said. 'That's what it comes down to. If we play better, we'll put ourselves in a better position." Outfielder Trent Grisham also returned, coming in to pinch hit for DJ LeMahieu earlier in the eighth and playing center field. Grisham left Monday's game after a cleat caught the turf. Wells had been sidelined since Saturday as Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the catcher was recovering from an invasive test for a circulatory issue in his left index finger. He ran for Giancarlo Stanton after the DH walked. Ben Rice started at catcher against Toronto on Wednesday night after making his second and third starts behind the plate this season against the Athletics last weekend. Rice couldn't come up with a wild pitch from Devin Williams in the bottom of the eighth that allowed George Springer to score the tiebreaking run. 'That on me there,' Rice said. 'I've got to find a way to keep it in front.' Williams said Rice wasn't to blame. 'I've got to make a better pitch there,' Williams said. 'It wasn't the easiest one to block for Ben.' Right-hander Luis Gil missed a scheduled throwing session Tuesday because his wife was giving birth, Boone said before the game. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year instead will throw on Thursday. Gil has not pitched for the Yankees this season because of a high-grade lat strain in his pitching shoulder. The Yankees recalled right-hander Clayton Beeter from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday and righty Geoff Hartlieb was designated for assignment. Beeter was 0-0 with a 1.02 ERA in 16 games at Triple-A, where he struck out 29 batters in 17 2/3 innings. Beeter had two saves in three chances. 'He's been on our board now for a couple of years kind of pushing the envelope to be part of the mix,' Boone said. 'He's really talented. Hopefully he can come up here and carve out a spot for himself in the bullpen.' Hartlieb made his only Yankees appearance in Tuesday's 12-5 loss, allowing three runs in one inning. ___ AP MLB: recommended
Chicago Tribune
34 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Photos: Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 at Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Earlier in the day, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker learned they were starters in the All-Star Game.
NBC Sports
39 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Josh Hader leads the way in mid-season rankings
In this week's Closer Report, Josh Hader has been the best closer in baseball through the first half of action amid one of his best seasons. Andrés Muñoz gets back on the board with his first save since June 8. And Randy Rodriguez could be the best closer-in-waiting to stash. Josh Hader - Houston Astros Another excellent week on the mound for Hader. He recorded the final out for the save against the Cubs on Friday, then tossed a clean inning for the save on Sunday. He then gave up a solo homer before holding on for his 24th save against the Rockies on Tuesday. Setup man Bryan Abreu is having an outstanding season behind Hader, recording 21 holds with a 1.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 60/19 K/BB ratio across 39 2/3 innings. Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners Edwin Díaz - New York Mets Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox Jhoan Duran - Minnesota Twins Emmanuel Clase - Cleveland Guardians Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres Muñoz was in a tough spot this week, making two appearances in extra innings and allowing the runner on second to score in each outing, taking a blown save on Friday and a loss on Saturday. He bounced back with a clean save on Wednesday, striking out one batter against the Royals, his first save since June 8. Díaz struck out one batter in a scoreless frame against the Braves last Thursday, then converted a clean four-out save with three strikeouts against the Brewers on Wednesday to give him 17 saves with a 1.91 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 49/12 K/BB ratio across 33 innings. Chapman struck out two batters in a clean inning in a non-save situation against the Blue Jays on Sunday. He then struck out one in a perfect frame for his 15th save against the Reds on Wednesday. He's now gone 15 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. Duran struck out one batter in a clean inning to pick up his 12th save against the Tigers on Friday, then converted his 13th with a scoreless frame Wednesday against the Marlins. In Cleveland, Clase also made just one appearance, striking out two in a perfect inning of work in a non-save situation against the Cardinals on Sunday. After completing his suspension, Suarez worked around two walks to convert a save against the Reds on Saturday, then gave up two runs on four hits and a walk to blow the save and take a loss on Sunday. He held on for a save on Wednesday despite giving up a run against the Phillies. Mason Miller - Athletics Devin Williams - New York Yankees Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers Félix Bautista - Baltimore Orioles Will Vest - Detroit Tigers David Bednar - Pittsburgh Pirates Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs Camilo Doval - San Francisco Giants Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals Miller had a good week on the mound as he looks to get on track, picking up back-to-back saves against the Rays in Tampa on Monday and Tuesday. As mentioned in last week's report, Miller's skills suggest he could get things right and ascend to the elite tier again. Much of the same can be said for Williams, who tossed a clean inning with one strikeout for a save on Friday before taking a loss Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Scott converted two saves this week against the Rockies and Royals. He's up to 18 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 42/6 K/BB ratio across 39 innings. Michael Kopech might've been able to work into occasional save chances, but he landed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. Megill gave up a run to blow the save against the Rockies on Sunday in his only appearance this week. Meanwhile, Bautista gave up a solo homer against the Rays on Sunday and tossed a scoreless inning Monday against the Rangers in a pair of non-save situations. Vest tossed a pair of perfect innings, picking up his 13th save against the Twins on Sunday. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.37 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a 42/10 K/BB ratio across 38 innings. And in Pittsburgh, Bednar converted his 12th save to go with a 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 42/9 K/BB ratio across 29 2/3 innings. The Palencia breakout season continues in Chicago. He collected three more saves this week. The 25-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 31frames. After giving up five runs over his two previous outings last week, Doval bounced back with a clean inning, striking out two batters for his 13th save against the White Sox on Friday. However, he faltered again Wednesday, giving up a two-run homer to blow the save against the Diamondbacks before falling in line for the win with a scoreless tenth inning. Randy Rodríguez had been the most valuable middle reliever in baseball behind Doval, leading qualified relievers with a 1.6 WAR while posting a 0.72 ERA across 37 2/3 innings. In Cincinnati, Pagán worked a scoreless inning against the Padres on Sunday to fall in line for a win. Meanwhile, Helsley also pitched a scoreless inning in his lone appearance, converting his 16th save on Saturday against the Guardians. Estévez pitched a pair of perfect innings, appearing in a non-save situation last Thursday against the Rays before picking up his 23rd save against the Mariners on Tuesday. It's been a tumultuous season for Hoffman in his first season as a full-time closer, but he had a good week on the mound with three saves to give him 20 on the season. Setup man Yimi García was activated from the injured list on Wednesday after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder issue. Fairbanks needed just four pitches to record the final two outs for a save against the Royals last Thursday. He then took a loss on Monday, giving up two runs against the Athletics before bouncing back with two strikeouts in a clean inning on Tuesday. With Fairbanks unavailable on Wednesday, Edwin Uceta struck out three batters while giving up one run to convert his first save of the season. And for the Nationals, Finnegan tossed three scoreless innings on Sunday against the Angels, striking out two batters and falling in line for the win. Shelby Miller - Arizona Diamondbacks Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels Dylan Lee/Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves Matt Strahm/Orion Kerkering/Jordan Romano - Philadelphia Phillies Robert Garcia/Luke Jackson - Texas Rangers Miller gave up one run against the Marlins on Saturday to blow a one-run lead before bouncing back with a clean four-out save with two strikeouts against the Giants on Monday. Miller is working as the primary closer for the Diamondbacks, and despite a 2.04 ERA, is 10-for-15 in save chances. Jansen gave up a run to blow the save against the Nationals on Sunday before tossing a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Braves on Tuesday. Those Braves saw no save chances this week as they search for consistency in the ninth inning. Lee did have a rough outing, giving up three runs to take the loss against the Angels on Tuesday. In Philadelphia, Strahm worked the only save for the Phillies this week, working around a hit and a walk for his fifth of the season on Sunday against the Braves. In another committee situation, neither Garcia nor Jackson worked any saves for the Rangers this week. Calvin Faucher/Ronny Henriquez - Miami Marlins Seth Halvorsen - Colorado Rockies Grant Taylor - Chicago White Sox Randy Rodríguez is already one of the top setup men in baseball. He's also one of the better closers-in-waiting, given the inconsistent nature of closer Camilo Doval. Rodríguez has posted a 0.72 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and an incredible 53/8 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings. His 33.1% K-BB rate trails only Josh Hader and Griffin Jax among qualified relievers and is significantly better than Doval's 12.2%. Without a dominant lineup, the Giants tend to play in plenty of close games. And once they get back on track in line for wins, Rodríguez could benefit from occasional save chances, much like Doval and Ryan Walker to start the season. Another NL West reliever, Kyle Backhus was promoted by the Diamondbacks from Triple-A in early June after posting a 2.22 ERA with a 33% strikeout rate in the minors. The 27-year-old left-hander has made nine appearances, giving up one run with a 10/2 K/BB ratio so far. While he hasn't shown enough to warrant a pickup in most leagues, he could be someone worth monitoring.
