Shota Imanaga pitched for 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run that wasn’t earned. Michael Busch hit a home run for the third game in a row, helping the Chicago Cubs win 4-1 against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.
Seiya Suzuki and Miguel Amaya also hit solo home runs for the Cubs. But the spotlight was on Imanaga’s impressive performance in his early days in the major leagues, along with some great defensive plays by third baseman Christopher Morel in the sixth inning.
Morel made two excellent plays, stopping hard-hit balls from turning into runs for the Mariners. His defensive efforts helped the Cubs maintain their lead, especially after Imanaga walked the first two batters in the inning. Imanaga hasn’t given up an earned run in 15 1/3 innings so far. He allowed five hits, struck out four, and walked two.
The Cubs’ relief pitchers, Mark Leiter Jr., Yency Almonte, Hector Neris, and Adbert Alzolay, allowed only two baserunners in 3 2/3 innings. Alzolay got his second save of the season.
Busch extended his home run streak to three games with a solo shot in the seventh inning off reliever Tyson Miller. Suzuki hit a home run on the first pitch he saw from Seattle starter Emerson Hancock in the third inning. Amaya added another solo home run in the eighth inning off reliever Austin Voth.
Despite Imanaga’s strong start, the Mariners managed to score a run in the second inning after an error by Busch at first base allowed Mitch Haniger to reach. Haniger scored on Luis Urías’ double, but Imanaga struck out Seby Zavala to end the inning, leaving runners at second and third base.
