Michael Busch homers again, leads Cubs past Mariners

[April 15, 2024]  Michael Busch homered for a fourth consecutive game and Javier Assad pitched 5 2/3 solid innings as the Chicago Cubs defeated the host Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
 
Seiya Suzuki went 2-for-4 with a double as Chicago took two of three games in the interleague series. 

Apr 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (29) returns to first base during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Polanco slugged a two-run homer for the Mariners.

Assad (2-0), a right-hander, gave up two runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts.

Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay struck out the first two batters in the ninth before Cal Raleigh grounded a single into right field. Alzolay picked off pinch-runner Julio Rodriguez to end the game. It was Alzolay's third save of the season.

Mariners ace Luis Castillo (0-4) put together his first quality start of the season, but it wasn't quite enough. The right-hander went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, with no walks and nine strikeouts.

The Cubs opened the scoring in the first inning as Suzuki grounded a one-out double to left field and scored on Castillo's throwing error on Cody Bellinger's infield single.

It remained 1-0 until the fourth when Dansby Swanson led off the inning by grounding a double to left and Busch followed with a two-run shot to right-center on a 2-2 changeup from Castillo. It was Busch's team-leading fifth homer of the season.

Assad opened with five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth. J.P. Crawford lined a one-out single to center and, an out later, Polanco hit a 1-0 cutter over the wall in right-center, ending Assad's afternoon.

The Mariners threatened in the seventh as reliever Yency Almonte hit Dylan Moore with a pitch and walked Mitch Garver. Mark Leiter Jr. needed just two pitches to escape the jam, getting Raleigh to fly out to center and Luke Raley to ground into a double play.

Cubs reliever Hector Neris walked three of the first four batters he faced in the eighth before Ty France grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Mariners left fielder Dominic Canzone left the game holding his left shoulder in the top of the second inning after crashing into the wall while catching a drive by Chicago's Mike Tauchman. The Mariners later announced Canzone suffered a left AC joint sprain.

--Field Level Media

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