Cubs Fall to Guardians 6-5 Despite Three Home Runs in Doubleheader Split

The Chicago Cubs showcased their power with three home runs on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory against the Cleveland Guardians, who emerged with a 6-5 win in the second game of a doubleheader. Despite the offensive fireworks from Matt Shaw, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ, the Cubs couldn’t overcome shaky relief pitching, resulting in a series loss.

The game began tentatively, mirroring the first contest of the day, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm at the plate. Shaw ignited the Cubs’ offense with a home run in the third inning, giving them an early lead. They built on that momentum in the sixth, when Carson Kelly’s single set the stage for Swanson to launch his first home run of the season, extending the Cubs’ lead to 3-0.

Starting pitcher Shōta Imanaga delivered a commendable performance, allowing just two hits and a walk through five innings. His outing was cut short in the sixth when Steven Kwan doubled to lead off the inning, prompting a pitching change. Imanaga finished with a solid line, throwing 92 pitches and not allowing a home run, a positive sign for the young pitcher.

However, the Cubs’ bullpen faltered when Ben Brown took over. Struggling to find the strike zone, Brown allowed two walks, two hits, and a sacrifice fly, leading to two runs that tied the game at 3-3. He rebounded in the seventh, retiring the side in order, but his inconsistency raises questions about his role in the bullpen, which had been a strength last season but has shown vulnerability early in 2026.

Ian Happ’s day was a rollercoaster; after striking out six times earlier in the doubleheader, he finally broke through in the eighth inning with a home run, marking his fourth of the season. This rare feat—striking out six times and still hitting a home run—has only been accomplished by a handful of Cubs in history, highlighting the peculiar nature of his performance.

As the game progressed, the Guardians rallied back in the bottom of the eighth. Jacob Webb, who was unable to hold the lead, surrendered a one-out homer to CJ Kayfus, followed by a single and a walk that put Cleveland ahead 5-4. Ethan Roberts, called up for the doubleheader, entered the game but allowed another run to score, making it 6-4.

In a dramatic ninth inning, Cade Smith took the mound for Cleveland, and the Cubs mounted a late rally. With two outs, they managed to score one run, narrowing the gap to 6-5. However, despite having the tying and lead runs in scoring position, Kelly struck out to end the game, leaving the Cubs lamenting missed opportunities.

Despite the loss, the Cubs showed resilience, refusing to fold in the final moments. However, the bullpen’s performance will require reevaluation as they head into their next series. With this loss, the Cubs split the doubleheader and will look to bounce back as they travel to Tampa Bay for a three-game series, starting Monday afternoon. Jameson Taillon is set to take the mound against the Rays’ Shane McClanahan, with the game scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.