Rangers Rattle Off 11 Unanswered Runs, Top Cubs in Second Game of Series

Unfortunately for the Cubs, the second-inning moonshot were the last runs the team managed to scratch across the plate. Instead, the Rangers turned on the jets, scoring 11 unanswered runs to put the Cubs away. 

Jered Walsh led the effort off, tying the game with a two-run shot of his own in the bottom of the second. From there, Adolis Garcia doubled the Rangers' lead with another two-run shot in the bottom of the third. A fourth-inning RBI from Corey Seager put the Rangers up 5-2 and ended Kyle Hendricks' season debut. The Professor ultimately pitched 3.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits, including two home runs. Hendricks struck out a pair and walked a pair as well. 

Four clean outs from RHP Jose Cuas and a clean inning from LHP Luke Little stretched the Cubs to the seventh. Called up earlier in the day, Ben Brown debuted and pitched 1.2 innings. The seventh inning was great for Brown, including his first strikeout as a big leaguer. Unfortunately, the eighth was rough for the youngster, ending his debut after six earned runs, including another long ball. 

In the end, the Cubs fell 11-2 and have officially dropped the opening series to the defending champions. The Cubs only managed five hits and two walks as a team in the loss. 

Justin Steele to IL, Ben Brown Recalled

After leaving Thursday's game with an apparent hamstring injury, Justin Steele has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to March 29. In his place, Cubs' no. 10 prospect, Ben Brown, earned his first call to the show. 

Brown cruised in his first inning of work in the majors. However, the second inning presented many challenges. There was plenty of tough love for Brown in his debut. 

Despite the rough outing, Brown received some words of wisdom from Ian Happ following the rough outing. The Cubs' left fielder was seen talking to the young right-hander after the damage was done. 

Brown was expected to start in Steele's place. However, with the off days early in the season, the Cubs could potentially roll with four starters for the first two weeks. Any games the Cubs need to string together in Steele's absence will likely be bullpen games. 

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs conclude their series with the Rangers on Sunday for an Easter Day matinee game. The 1:35 p.m. CDT start will feature RHP Jon Gray for the Rangers and LHP Jordan Wicks for the Cubs. 

The Cubs open up the 2024 home slate at Wrigley Field on Monday with LHP Shota Imanaga on the bump against the Colorado Rockies.