In a thrilling ninth-inning finish, Michael Busch’s lead-off homer propelled the Chicago Cubs to a walk-off 3-2 win against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
Busch’s decisive hit came off a first-pitch fastball from Enyel De Los Santos (1-2), sailing over the right-center field wall. This clutch homer marked Busch’s seventh of the season, breaking a drought since his impressive five-game streak from April 10 to April 15.
Hector Neris (2-0) earned the victory for the Cubs after navigating through a challenging top of the ninth inning, where he allowed a single and a walk but managed to keep the Padres from scoring.
Despite the Padres’ efforts, highlighted by Jurickson Profar’s two-run homer and solid performances from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jose Azocar, San Diego fell short for the second time in three games. Jake Cronenworth extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the sixth inning.
This victory extends the Cubs’ positive momentum as they continue their series against the Padres, showcasing the resilience and determination that define their play this season.
