Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki powered a fifth-inning surge to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night at Wrigley Field. The win snapped a rough stretch for the NL Central-leading Cubs, who had lost four of their last five.
Swanson launched his ninth homer of the season to left-center, scoring Nico Hoerner and breaking a scoreless tie. Moments later, Suzuki followed with a two-run blast of his own — his 10th of the year — to cap a four-run frame that gave Chicago a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Miguel Amaya stayed hot at the plate, going 3-for-3 and scoring a run. Kyle Tucker also contributed with an RBI triple that drove in Amaya, rounding out Chicago’s offensive push.
Cubs right-hander Colin Rea (3-0) turned in his best outing of the season, allowing two runs on six hits over a season-high 6 2/3 innings. Rea’s only blemish came on a two-run homer by Derek Hill in the seventh. Hill, returning from a 22-game absence due to a wrist injury, provided the lone offensive highlight for the struggling Marlins.
Rea handed the ball to Daniel Palencia, who got the final out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz took over in the ninth and sealed the win, recording his first save since 2020. After Connor Norby singled as a pinch-hitter with two outs, Pomeranz froze Hill on a called third strike to end the game.
Miami right-hander Cal Quantrill (2-4) took the loss after giving up three runs and four hits over 4 1/3 innings. Lefty reliever Anthony Veneziano allowed Suzuki’s homer, which effectively put the game out of reach.
The Marlins, who sit in last place in the NL East, have now dropped 12 of their last 15 games.
The Cubs entered the night leading the National League in runs scored with 233, though they had been held to two runs or fewer in four of their previous seven contests. Monday’s fifth inning outburst was a welcome return to form for the potent lineup.
The series continues Tuesday night with Chicago sending right-hander Ben Brown (3-3, 4.95 ERA) to the mound against Miami’s Valente Bellozo (0-2, 3.50 ERA).
