HOUSTON, TX – June 28, 2025 – The Houston Astros’ five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt as they were routed 12-3 by the Chicago Cubs at Daikin Park. The return of right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. from the injured list did not go as planned, as he struggled significantly in his outing.
McCullers Jr. (1-3) took the loss, allowing a disheartening eight runs on seven hits, including three home runs, over just 3 1/3 innings. The Cubs’ offense, led by former Astro Kyle Tucker, exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning, putting the game out of reach early. Cubs starter Colin Rea (5-3) earned the win, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings.
The Astros briefly held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to a two-run home run by rookie Cam Smith, his seventh of the season. However, the Cubs immediately responded in the top of the fourth with a massive offensive surge. Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner hit back-to-back solo home runs off McCullers Jr., followed by an RBI single from Ian Happ and a three-run blast from Kyle Tucker. Pete Crow-Armstrong then added a sacrifice fly, making it a 9-2 game.
The Cubs continued to pile on, with Dansby Swanson adding an RBI single in the sixth and Seiya Suzuki hitting a two-run homer in the eighth, followed by an RBI single from Michael Busch, extending their lead. Isaac Paredes hit a solo home run for the Astros in the eighth, but it was too little, too late.
Kyle Tucker, playing against his former team, had a phenomenal night for the Cubs, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored, a double, a stolen base, and three RBIs, including the key three-run homer.
The loss brings the Houston Astros’ record to 49 wins and 34 losses (49-34). They will look to bounce back tomorrow in the final game of the series against the Cubs.
