Cubs Clinch! Suzuki's Homer Powers Sweep, Playoffs Next!
CHICAGO – Seiya Suzuki continued his scorching streak, blasting a homer in his fourth consecutive game, as the Chicago Cubs shut out the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Sunday. Javier Assad pitched brilliantly into the sixth inning, securing a three-game series sweep to end the regular season on a high note for the playoff-bound Cubs.
Suzuki's recent performance has been nothing short of spectacular. Over his last four games, he launched five home runs and drove in an impressive 10 runs. His season totals now stand at 32 homers and a team-leading 103 RBIs.
Moises Ballesteros contributed an RBI single, adding to the Cubs' victory. The Cubs (92-70) wrapped up the season as the top NL Wild Card team and will host the San Diego Padres in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-three series is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Cardinals (78-84) finished fourth in the NL Central, missing the playoffs for the third straight season.
Assad (4-1) delivered a strong performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits, striking out six, and walking one. Michael Soroka recorded two outs, and Jordan Wicks pitched the final three innings, scattering three hits and earning his first save.
Kyle Leahy started for the Cardinals, pitching three scoreless innings and allowing one hit. John King (2-1) was charged with one run in his 1 1/3 innings of relief.
Suzuki's solo homer off King in the fifth inning gave the Cubs the lead. They added an unearned run in the seventh when Ballesteros singled, scoring Kevin Alcantara from second. Wicks sealed the victory by striking out Jordan Walker and Jimmy Crooks in the ninth.
Suzuki joins an elite group of Japanese-born players, including Shohei Ohtani (three times) and Hideki Matsui, with a 30-homer, 100-RBI season in the majors.
The Cubs now prepare to host the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card series, beginning Tuesday.