Cody Bellinger and Alexander Canario hit home runs, helping the Chicago Cubs secure a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday night, splitting the day-night doubleheader.
Earlier, Bryan De La Cruz’s two-run homer off Adbert Alzolay in the ninth inning led the Marlins to a 3-2 win over the Cubs.
Shota Imanaga (3-0) pitched six innings in the second game, allowing three runs, two earned. It was the Cubs’ sixth win in seven games. However, Imanaga’s impressive scoreless streak at the start of his MLB career ended at 18 2/3 innings in the fourth inning.
Héctor Neris secured his first save in two chances, closing out the game for the Cubs despite allowing a single in the ninth inning.
Josh Bell hit a homer for the Marlins, whose record dropped to 5-17.
Trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning, the Cubs mounted a comeback, scoring four runs. Canario’s first homer of the season, a 416-foot blast to left field, brought them within one run.
Michael Busch then delivered a two-run single off Anthony Bender (0-1). Acquired in a January trade with Los Angeles, Busch has been hitting well, going 19 for 51 in his last 14 games.
Bellinger praised the team’s relentless approach, emphasizing the quality at-bats throughout the lineup, which has been key to their recent success.