Braves Extend Best Record with 4-1 Victory Over Cubs

Mike Yastrzemski entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and delivered a double that drove in the go-ahead run. Shortly after, Mauricio Dubón hit a two-run home run, completing a four-run eighth inning for the Atlanta Braves. The final score was 4–1, giving Atlanta the win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

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The victory moved the Braves to a 30-13 record, the best mark in Major League Baseball at the time. It also marked the Braves’ second consecutive win against the Cubs, who entered the game with the National League’s second-best record but have now suffered a season-high four-game losing streak.

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• Mike Yastrzemski – pinch-hit double in the eighth inning.

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• Mauricio Dubón – two-run homer in the eighth inning.

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• Drake Baldwin – 402-foot home run in the fourth inning.

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• Robert Suarez – earned the win, pitching a scoreless eighth inning (record 4-0).

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• Raisel Iglesias – recorded his eighth save of the season, remaining scoreless on the season.

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• Shota Imanaga (Cubs) – 4-3 record, pitched into the eighth, surrendered a homer to Drake Baldwin and an infield single to Michael Harris II before exiting with a 1–1 tie.

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• JR Ritchie (Braves) – rookie starter, 4 1/3 innings, two hits, three walks, left after a walk to Dansby Swanson.

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• Tyler Kinley (Cubs) – reliever who allowed an RBI single to Nico Hoerner.

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• Ha-Seong Kim (Cubs) – recorded his first hit of the season, a single to left off Phil Maton.

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• Dominic Smith (Cubs) – pinch-hitter who struck out in the eighth.

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• Braves’ season record: 30-13.

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• Cubs’ losing streak: four games.

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• Robert Suarez’s win–loss record: 4-0.

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• Raisel Iglesias’s save total: eight, with a season-long scoreless record.

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• Chris Sale’s ERA entering the next game: 2.20 (6-2).

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• Ben Brown’s ERA entering the next game: 1.82 (1-1).

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Atlanta’s win reinforced its position atop the league standings and extended its offensive momentum, particularly in late-inning situations. Chicago’s loss contributed to a decline in its win-percentage and extended a losing streak that could affect its playoff positioning.

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Braves manager Walt Weiss adjusted the lineup by substituting José Azócar with Yastrzemski for the crucial at-bat in the eighth inning. The decision directly preceded the go-ahead double. No additional statements from team officials were recorded in the game recap.

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The three-game series concludes on Thursday. Atlanta will start left-hander Chris Sale (6-2, 2.20 ERA), while Chicago will counter with right-hander Ben Brown (1-1, 1.82 ERA). Both pitchers are slated to influence the final outcome of the series.

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