Yandy Díaz homers, reaches four times in win

Michael Busch and Ramírez homered off Paul Skenes in the first two innings. Those were the Cubs’ only runs until the eighth, when Gregory Soto lost the strike zone and forced in tying run with a bases-loaded walk and then the go-ahead run with a HBP. Ramírez opened that inning with a double and scored the first run. He’s batting .266/.323/.433 through 224 plate appearances. However, he could begin losing playing time in the second half of next week if Dansby Swanson is activated.

The runs all came on Ryan O’Hearn’s homer in the sixth. Holmes continued on afterwards and loaded the bases before being replaced by Jacob Webb. Fortunately, Webb stranded the runners, though those runs would have been unearned as a result of Nico Hoerner’s error early in the inning. Holmes struck out six and walked four. He’ll pitch in Cincinnati next weekend, making him a decent option in mixed leagues.

Webb was not held back for a potential save situation today after blowing his last three chances as the Cubs’ closer, but he helped his cause today by retiring Oneil Cruz with the bases loaded after replacing Clay Holmes in the sixth and then pitching a scoreless seventh. As it turned out, Ryan Zeferjahn got a one-out save in the ninth. Webb, though, could be a candidate to close next time around.

Ryan Rolison did the heavy lifting in the eighth and ninth, getting five outs before Zeferjahn came in with one man on and punched out Bryan Reynolds to end the game. Rolison was rewarded with the win for his effort. The save is Zeferjahn’s second for the Cubs after he had four with the Angels. It’s possible he’ll get more opportunities, but there’s enough uncertainty in the Cubs pen right now that no one is particularly appealing.

The runs scored on solo homers. Skenes had 12 whiffs and struck out four before leaving with a one-run lead that was blown by Gregory Soto in the eighth. Still, it was a positive day for him. He needed just 82 pitches to get his 21 outs, and he walked only one. Skenes figures to make his next start Friday against the Royals, unless the Pirates find reason to be aggressive and start him Thursday versus the Brewers instead.

It was the lone hit for O’Hearn in his first start after coming off the injured list Friday. It’s possible he’ll sit Sunday with the Cubs starting lefty Matthew Boyd.

Bivens, 32, was a solid reliever for the Giants in 2024 and ’25, but he’d given up eight earned runs in five innings this year, resulting in him spending most of the year in Sacramento. Overall, he has a 4.08 ERA in 134 2/3 career innings. No word yet on whether the Royals will add him to their pen or stash him in Triple-A.

X-rays were negative after he was hit by a Franco Aleman fastball. Ryan Kreidler figures to start if Culpepper can’t play Sunday.

Seigler, who was just recalled yesterday, was hurt on a swing while fouling off a pitch. Isiah Kiner-Falefa took over at second base.

Esteury Ruiz replaced him against the Dodgers. Caissie walked and scored a run in his lone plate appearance before leaving.