Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/6/23): Cubs 8, Giants 2 – Wicks Wins Again to Complete Sweep
The Cubs jumped all over the Giants immediately on Wednesday afternoon and never looked back, completing a big three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. Chicago got another excellent start from young lefty Jordan Wicks and more offensive fireworks from the white-hot Seiya Suzuki.
The Cubs used two singles and a walk to load the bases against starter Alex Wood in the bottom of the 1st inning. Suzuki came to bat and slashed an opposite-field double to score all three runners.
12 extra-base hits in the last 12 games.
You better Belieb it. pic.twitter.com/IMEKfABiPI
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 6, 2023
Wicks got just one strikeout, but didn’t walk anyone as he pitched to contact and got a lot of outs on the ground. Chicago added two more in the bottom of the 3rd on a Cody Bellinger double and a Nick Madrigal single to build up a 5-0 advantage.
Miguel Amaya blasted a solo home run in the 4th inning and a Christopher Morel RBI knock in the 6th made it a 7-0 blowout. Wicks got all the way into the 7th, at which point he started to tire and allowed a pair of runs.
Bellinger got one of those tallies right back with a line-drive solo homer in the bottom of the frame. Daniel Palencia handled the 8th and big lefty Luke Little struck out two in a very impressive MLB debut to seal the 8-2 victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Suzuki set the tone immediately with his big double, putting more pressure on the already reeling Giants and lowering the stress on the young Cub starter.
Why the Cubs Won
They took a quick lead and kept adding to it throughout the game. They also got another quality start and were able to avoid using their high-leverage relievers.
Stats That Matter
- Wicks only got one strikeout and gave up some hits but he got 12 ground ball outs with the wind blowing straight out: 6.2 IP, 2 R, 9 H, 1 K, and 0 BB.
- Ian Happ had two hits including a double and has looked very good as a right handed batter lately.
- Suzuki continues to make solid contact and had two more hits.
- Alexander Canario made his much-awaited major league debut in the 9th inning, striking out as a pinch-hitter.
Bottom Line
The North Siders are now 7-3 in this stretch of games against their playoff competitors. If they can win just one game against the Diamondbacks they will be guaranteed a winning record in this critical window. The Cubs’ two young starters, Wicks and Javier Assad, have been invaluable during this run by stabilizing the rotation.
On Deck
Chicago welcomes the playoff hopeful Arizona for four games starting Thursday night at 5:40pm CT. The aforementioned Assad goes for the Cubs and the Diamondbacks have yet to name a starter in a matchup available on MLB Network (out of market only), Marquee, and 670 The Score.
