Cubs' 5-2 Victory Over Orioles After Rain Delay Highlights Boyd's Return

Matthew Boyd threw six shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Alex Bregman drove in both runs with RBI singles in the third and fifth innings. Miguel Amaya scored three times, and Dansby Swanson added an RBI in the eighth. Shane Baz surrendered three runs in six innings for Baltimore.

ESPN

The start was pushed back by a rain threat. ESPN listed a 56-minute delay; the Orioles’ social-media feed later posted a revised 7:30 p.m. tip-off, about an hour later than scheduled. The game opened a three-game series before the All-Star break, with Chicago holding a 1.5-game NL wild-card lead (51-40) and Baltimore trailing by 3.5 games in the AL wild-card race (42-50).

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Boyd improved to 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA since returning from the IL, posting a line of 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K; his season ERA fell to 4.31 and FIP to 3.26. Bregman collected two hits and drove in both runs. The Cubs recorded 10 hits, 5 runs and went 3-8 with runners in scoring position, without a home run. Baz entered with a 4.19 ERA and 87 K, allowing three runs on six hits.

ESPN

The victory pushed Chicago to 11 wins in 14 games, solidifying its NL wild-card lead and giving the club momentum heading into the All-Star hiatus. Baltimore’s loss kept the Orioles outside the AL wild-card picture, heightening the pressure on its remaining schedule.

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Cubs manager Craig Counsell highlighted Boyd’s middle-inning strikeout burst, saying, “Those next (three) strikeouts were huge.” He also noted the early scoring, adding, “The first two guys get on with the single and hit by pitch.”

Sports Illustrated

Some fans continue to criticize Bregman’s baserunning after earlier complaints about his effort on the basepaths. Orioles analysts also point to Baz’s limited success against a left-handed heavy Cubs lineup, underscoring concerns about Baltimore’s pitching depth.

Sports Illustrated

• “The first two guys get on with the single and hit by pitch.” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager

Sports Illustrated

• “Those next (three) strikeouts were huge.” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager

Sports Illustrated

• “Update: According to the Orioles social media team, the first pitch of this game is now scheduled for 7:30PM, just a one-hour delay from the original start time, and as a result, the starting lineups and pitchers are expected to remain the same for a critical matchup ahead of the All-Star break.” — Orioles social media

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• “A healthy Boyd, who pitches like he did tonight, is exactly who the Cubs need right now.” — Sean Sears, Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated

Chicago will start right-hander Colin Rea against Orioles starter Dean Kremer on Wednesday, then finish the three-game set before the All-Star break. Baltimore hopes its next starter can halt the slide and keep the AL wild-card chase alive.

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