Full Breakdown
Cubs Secure 5-1 Victory at Oracle Park with Splash Home Run
6/13/2026, 1:05:55 PM
Game Summary
On Friday, June 12, 2026, Chicago beat San Francisco 5–1 at Oracle Park. Michael Busch’s three-run homer landed in McCovey Cove in the fifth inning. Starter Javier Assad delivered six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, one walk and striking out five, earning his fourth win.
Background
The win gave the Cubs consecutive victories for the first time since late May, halting a 7-22 stretch over 29 games. In the 2025-26 season the Cubs lead the head-to-head series 7-3 and have outscored the Giants 63-35. The Giants entered 6-2 at Oracle Park in a series that began in early 2024 and had previously won 18-3 and 2-1 in the two prior meetings.
Key Performances
Busch’s splash was the 176th at Oracle Park, the 68th by an opponent, and either the fourth or fifth by a Cubs player—a discrepancy noted in the sources. It marked his eighth homer of the season and the first Cubs splash since Joc Pederson in June 2021. Assad (4-1) limited San Francisco to three hits, one walk and five strikeouts over six innings, lowering his ERA to 0.47 across his last five outings. Seiya Suzuki added an RBI double, Nico Hoerner a sacrifice fly, and Pete Crow-Armstrong a double. Relievers Hoby Milner, Erik Miller and Trent Thornton closed the game, with Miller facing Busch after the splash. Defensively, Busch turned a double play and made a diving tag on Luis Arraez for a replay-assisted out.
Data & Statistics
- Final: Cubs 5, Giants 1.
- Giants recorded three hits (Bryce Eldridge, Luis Arraez, and one other).
- Busch’s splash: eighth homer of the season.
- Assad: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K.
- Giants starter Landen Roupp: 4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K.
- Jung Hoo Lee’s 18-game hitting streak ended, longest for a Giant since Angel Pagan’s 19-game run in 2016.
Impact
The victory restores momentum, giving Chicago back-to-back wins and showcasing depth in both pitching and offense. Assad’s effective fill-in start and Busch’s rare splash suggest the Cubs could sustain a mid-season surge.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Craig Counsell praised Assad, noting “He pitched great” and highlighting the importance of opportunities for fill-in starters. Busch said he had tried the splash in batting practice but preferred achieving it in a game.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The AP counts Busch’s splash as the fourth by a Cubs player; the Sun-Times lists it as the fifth. No Giants’ perspective was provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I tried to do it a couple times in BP and couldn’t really do it,” Busch said after the game.” — Michael Busch, Cubs first baseman
- “He pitched great,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
What’s Next
San Francisco will start right-hander Trevor McDonald (2-3, 4.15 ERA) in the series finale, while Chicago aims to extend its momentum.
