Michael Busch and Ian Happ hit home runs, and Jameson Taillon along with three relievers combined for a five-hit performance as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Baltimore Orioles 9-2 on Tuesday night.
Taillon (6-4) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. The 32-year-old right-hander retired the final 11 batters he faced.
“I thought he did what he’s been doing all season, attacking the strike zone,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented. “He throws a lot of strikes and forces hitters to swing. Every pitch matters. He did an excellent job.”
The Cubs now hold a 10-4 record against the Orioles since 2014 and have won four of their last five games since August 18, 2022.
Happ’s three-run homer in the fourth inning extended Chicago’s lead to 7-2. His 395-foot blast to right field made him only the second Cubs player, alongside Jason Heyward on July 14, 2017, to hit a home run onto Eutaw Street.
Happ, who came into the game with the lowest road batting average among qualifying hitters in the majors at .171, according to STATS, finished the game 2 for 4 with a walk. Since May 26, he has recorded a 1.025 OPS and 41 RBIs.
“The start of the season wasn’t ideal for me, but I knew it wouldn’t last,” Happ said. “To be able to battle back and have some really productive at-bats, I’m feeling good about that.”
Rookie Jordan Westburg hit his 15th home run of the season in the second inning for the Orioles, who entered the game with the best record in the American League. Earlier in the day, Westburg was named to the AL All-Star team, replacing Boston’s Rafael Devers due to a shoulder injury.
Despite their strong season, Baltimore suffered their fourth loss in 12 games. They lead MLB with 147 home runs.
Busch contributed three hits, including his 12th home run, a solo shot in the first inning that marked the first run allowed by Orioles starter Dean Kremer (4-5) in 11 starts.
