(St. Petersburg, FL) — The Cubs captured their rubber match against the Rays after rolling to a 6-2 victory at Tropicana Field. Nico Hoerner led the way at the plate after going three for five with a leadoff homer and two runs batted in. Chicago has now won back to back games.
Joe Boyle was charged with the loss after allowing six runs, five of them earned, on four hits and three walks. Tampa Bay has dropped each of its last two after winning three in a row.
The Cubs are home Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Chicago Cubs will be without one of their top pitchers for the rest of the 2026 season. Manager Craig Counsell told reporter that Cade Horton will have season-ending surgery for a damaged UCL.
Horton will have either Tommy John reconstruction or an internal brace repair. Horton was the runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last season. He was 1-and-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts this year.
April 8, 2026