Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/16/24): Cubs 9, A’s 2 – Big Inning Leads to Blowout

The Cubs crushed the A’s Monday night at Wrigley Field with nine runs in the first four frames. That was more than enough for Shōta Imanaga, who was outstanding again with a career-high 11 strikeouts in six strong innings.

Isaac Paredes got things started for Chicago in the 1st inning with an RBI single off of Joey Estes. The home team really broke things open in the 2nd, starting with back-to-back run-scoring singles by Miguel Amaya and Ian Happ. Then Dansby Swanson hit a high fly ball that just barely reached the left field basket for a three-run homer and a 6-0 lead.

Imanaga made his only mistake in the 3rd when Oakland DH Brent Rooker hit a two-run blast. The North Siders got those runs right back in the bottom of the frame with two more RBI hits from Amaya and Swanson. Cody Bellinger tripled to begin the 4th and came home on a knock by Paredes to put the Cubs ahead 9-2.

There was very little drama after that with Chicago cruising to an easy victory. (Box score)

Key Moment

The five-run 2nd inning was more than enough for Imanaga and Oakland never really threatened to come back after that.

Why the Cubs Won

A quality start and an offensive outburst is usually a winning formula and it definitely was in this game.

Stats That Matter

• Imanaga had more walks than usual for him but more than made up for it with strikeouts: 6 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 11 K, and 3 BB.
• Paredes had three more hits and is red hot right now.
• Amaya tripled in addition to his pair of RBI singles.

Bottom Line

Several Cubs hitters are ending the season on a high note, which is a very positive development. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will carry over into 2025 but it certainly couldn’t hurt. Imanaga has been better this season than Chicago could ever have hoped for and he will be a huge piece next year.

On Deck

Game two of the series is Tuesday night at 6:40pm CT. Jordan Wicks looks to bounce back from a rough start against Mitch Spence in a contest available on Marquee and 670 The Score.