The Chicago Cubs rode a dominant start from rookie Cade Horton to a 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night in Toronto. Horton struck out a career-high eight while working 5 2/3 innings, earning his fourth straight win and improving to 7-3 on the season. He didn’t allow a hit until Andrés Giménez’s single to center with one out in the sixth, snapping Horton’s 28 1/3-inning scoreless streak that dated back to July 9 at Minnesota. Horton also fanned five of the first nine Jays he faced and looked poised for another strong outing before walking Bo Bichette in the fourth inning and allowing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a two-out RBI double after the walk, ending the no-hit bid.
The Cubs jumped in front early against Kevin Gausman. Michael Busch led off the third with a homer, his 23rd of the season, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead. In the fifth, Matt Shaw followed with a solo shot, his 10th of the year, stretching the cushion to 2-0. Chicago tacked on again in the eighth with a sacrifice fly from Busch and an RBI single by Seiya Suzuki to make it 4-0.
Toronto finally dented Horton in the sixth when Guerrero’s RBI double scored the inning’s first run. The moment arrived after Horton walked Bichette with two outs in the frame, ending the potential no-hitter. Andrew Kittredge came on to face Guerrero Jr. and preserved the Cubs’ lead from there as Horton’s impressive outing came to a close.
Daniel Palencia then closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances. Gausman took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings.
Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya was carted off the field with an injured left ankle after landing on first base in the eighth, a development that added a troubling note to a strong Cubs victory.
Key moments and stats
– Horton retired the first 10 he faced before Bichette’s walk and Guerrero’s RBI double in the sixth, ending Horton’s scoreless streak at 28 1/3 innings.
– Busch’s leadoff homer in the third opened the scoring; Shaw’s one-out homer in the fifth made it 2-0.
– Horton’s eight strikeouts surpassed his previous career high of six, a mark he matched in his previous start against Cincinnati.
– After the early offensive outburst, the Cubs’ bullpen and defense held firm, with Palencia finishing off the win.
Up next
The Blue Jays are scheduled to send Max Scherzer (2-2, 4.21 ERA) against the Cubs on Thursday, with Matthew Boyd (11-5, 2.45) lined up for Chicago.
Summary
The Cubs continued their strong late-season push with a well-rounded win behind Horton’s breakout performance, sturdy bullpen work, and timely hitting from Busch, Shaw, and Suzuki. The Jays managed a late-life run but couldn’t overcome the early-cushion and the starter’s efficiency, leaving Chicago with a four-game win streak and momentum for the series finale.
Additional value
– Horton’s emergence as a high-strikeout, efficient starter provides a promising building block for the Cubs’ rotation as the calendar turns. Pairing that with late-game bullpen reliability and productive bats from Busch and Shaw gives Chicago multiple pathways to wins.
– The injury to Amaya will bear watching; if he misses time, the Cubs may need to lean more on their depth behind the plate.
Potential improvements or considerations
– Toronto needs to tighten discipline against Horton, who showed a rare ability to miss bats early and attack hitters with an efficient mix.
– Chicago should monitor Amaya’s status and determine a quick path to rest and possible replacement options if the injury lingers.