Chicago Cubs Michael Busch watches his game winning RBI single that walks off a win against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the tenth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sat Jun 6, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In a vast contrast over Friday’s game between the San Francisco Giants (26-38) and the Chicago Cubs (33-31) it was the Cubs who prevailed winning the game 3-2. Hits were few and far between in this game two of this series.

The Giants scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning but the Cubs answered with a Pete Crow-Armstrong home run to tie the game and go into extra innings. Crow-Armstrong had four hits in the game. A Victor Bericoto error allowed the Cubs to score in the bottom of the tenth inning and that was the ball game.

Game recap: The Giants were of course looking to take an early lead in this game but it did not go that way at all. In fact through four innings this game was scoreless and had turned into a pitcher’s duel.

San Francisco had only one hit going into the fifth inning; that hit a single by Luis Arraez in the first inning. The Cubs had a couple of hits a Pedro Ramirez single in the second inning and a Crow-Armstrong infield single in the bottom of the third.

Hits were few and far between so far in this game with both starting pitchers doing a great job. The pitch count through five innings for Brown was 88. In his last outing he went six innings in a loss to the Pirates 2-1. San Francisco starter Roupp had 78. Roupp’s last outing was against the Brewers on June 1st a 16-2 loss.

In a surprise move the Cubs made a pitching move in the top of the sixth inning with one out. San Francisco had only gotten one hit off of Brown and he was dominating so go figure; it was puzzling.

He was relieved by Caleb Thielbar and San Francisco welcomed him with open arms. On Thielbar’s fourth pitch Rafael Devers knocked the ball out of the park and the Giants had a 1-0 lead. It sure leads one to question the change on the mound for the Cubs when Brown had been cruising. Brown had given up only one hit, one walk with five strikeouts.

The Cubs tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth inning 1-1. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a solo home run to right and it was back to square one all even. After the home run, Roupp gave up a walk and the Giants bullpen got busy.

Roupp had 87 pitches with no outs in the inning. After walking Michael Conforto, Michael Busch and Alex Bregman both struck out. With the two outs San Francisco made a pitching change. Caleb Kilian came in to relieve Roupp. Roupp went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, one run, three walks with five strikeouts. He had a heck of an outing in fact both starting pitchers were very good.

With the two outs, the Cubs had loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning and San Francisco desperately needed that third out. Chung Hoo Lee caught a deep hit in the outfield for the third out and Chicago left them loaded.

The Cubs again threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners on base but two outs. Erik Miller had relieved Kilian Kilian finished with one hit, no runs, one walk and one strikeout.

Chicago again loaded the bases but an outstanding Miller slider got the third out and the Giants got out of the inning. The Cubs had the bases loaded in back-to-back innings but were unable to cash in.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth there was yet another pitching change for San Francisco. Miller pitched 2/3 of an inning and was relieved by Keaton Winn who has been red-hot. Winn got out of the inning and this game went into the top of the ninth still locked at 1.

The Cubs brought one of their best power pitchers to start the top of the ninth inning Daniel Palencia. He struck out Willy Adames but Chung Hoo Lee had his second hit of the game a single with one out. Eldridge ripped a shot to right and the GIants had runners at the corners.

This was the first time San Francisco had a runner on third base today. Eldridge stole second base and the Giants were in business. Chapman sacrificed and Lee scored taking back the lead 2-1. Chicago got the third out and the Giants would try to close out this game. They were three outs away from winning game two.

The bottom of the ninth got underway with Pedro Ramirez grounding out, Carson Kelly lining out and San Francisco was one out away from closing out this game. The Cubs dangerous Crow-Armstrong who already had three hits came to the plate. He got his fourth hit, a home run and this game once again was tied 2-2. This game would go into extra innings.

The Giants did not make much headway in the top of the tenth inning. Bericoto struck out as did Rafael Devers. Luis Arraez grounded into a fielders choice for the third out. San Francisco would now have to take this game into the 11th inning. They did not get the chance. Michael Busch singled and Dansby Swanson scored from second on a Victor Bericoto fielding error and that was the ballgame. The Cubs had tied up the series winning this game 3-2.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon the Giants took the field in game two of this series with the Cubs. Friday the Giants set records galore hitting seven home runs with Chapman, Adames and Schmitt each hitting two homers a piece.

The Giants finished the game with 19 hits. The most exciting moment in the game was the fourth grand slam in Chapman’s career. It was an amazing game that does not come along every season. Saturday’s game had a completely different feel.

If anyone expects to see the fireworks the Giants saw Friday they will be very disappointed. It was of course a new game and a pair of new pitchers on Saturday. It was quite certain that the Cubs did not take kindly to getting blown-out and the Giants had a much more competitive game Saturday. The Giants did not see the crazy home runs and hits Saturday.

Sunday night the series will be decided. It will be a 5:30 game broadcast on NBC/Peacock. Trevor McDonald will take the mound for San Francisco. McDonald has a 2-3 win/loss record and a 4.50 ERA. The Cubs will start Jameson Taillon. He comes into this game with a 2-5 win/loss record and a 5.13 ERA.