Nico Hoerner ripped a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth and Matthew Boyd tossed seven strong innings, helping the host Chicago Cubs clinch a playoff berth with a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon.
Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong walked to lead off the first inning and promptly stole second base to become the seventh player in MLB history to record at least 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a single season. Armstrong, who has 45 homers, joined Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2006), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2023) and Shohei Ohtani (2024) as the only players to reach the 40-40 milestone.
Seiya Suzuki belted a solo homer in the fifth inning to highlight his two-hit performance for the Cubs (88-71), who salvaged the finale of their three-game series with Miami.
Boyd (10-5) allowed one run on five hits to record his second straight victory following a 0-4 stretch over his previous six starts.
Daniel Palencia bridged the gap to Ryan Zeferjahn, who retired the side in order in the ninth inning to secure his seventh save of the season.
Jakob Marsee had an RBI single in the third inning for the Marlins (78-81), who have lost four of their last six games.
With the game tied 1-1, Ian Happ tripled off Jack Ralston (0-2) to lead off the sixth inning and came home on Hoerner’s RBI single to left field.
Ralston permitted two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Brian Navarreto doubled to lead off the third inning against Matthew Boyd before coming home on Marsee’s RBI single to center to open the scoring.
Suzuki forged a tie in the fifth inning, depositing a 1-0 pitch from Ralston over the wall in center field. The homer was Suzuki’s 26th of the season and second in his last four games.