Cubs' Assad Dominates Giants Again With Stellar Performance

WHO:

NY Post - Javier Assad, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Craig Counsell, manager of the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Michael Busch, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Luis Arraez, player for the San Francisco Giants

MLB.com - Nico Hoerner, player for the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Matthew Boyd, veteran lefty pitcher for the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Jameson Taillon, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs

MLB.com - Ben Brown, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs

WHAT:

NY Post - Javier Assad pitched six shutout innings, leading the Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the Giants.

MLB.com - Assad recorded five strikeouts and generated nine outs via ground balls.

MLB.com - The Cubs scored five runs between the fourth and fifth innings.

MLB.com - Seiya Suzuki hit an RBI double, and Michael Busch hit a three-run home run.

MLB.com - Busch's home run was the fifth "splash hit" for the Cubs in history.

MLB.com - Assad's ERA was lowered to 0.47 over his past five outings.

WHERE:

NY Post - Oracle Park, San Francisco

MLB.com - Wrigley Field, Chicago

WHEN:

MLB.com - Assad's previous outing was on a Sunday, where he pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Giants.

MLB.com - The Cubs' All-Star break is a little over a month away.

WHY:

MLB.com - Assad was named a replacement starter due to Matthew Boyd's mild shoulder soreness.

MLB.com - Jameson Taillon's left hamstring injury pressed Assad into emergency duty.

HOW:

MLB.com - Assad utilized the Cubs' defense effectively, including a double play and key defensive plays by Busch and Hoerner.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 09:55 UTC)

Javier Assad led the Chicago Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, pitching six shutout innings and recording five strikeouts while lowering his ERA to an impressive 0.47 over his last five outings. The Cubs scored five runs between the fourth and fifth innings, highlighted by Michael Busch's three-run home run, which marked the fifth "splash hit" in the team's history. Assad stepped in as a replacement starter due to Matthew Boyd's mild shoulder soreness and Jameson Taillon's left hamstring injury, effectively utilizing the Cubs' defense throughout the game.