Taillon Shines, Tucker Delivers as Surging Cubs Beat Rockies 3-1

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Jameson Taillon delivered a dominant performance on the mound, and Kyle Tucker provided timely offense as the Chicago Cubs continued their strong run with a 3-1 victory over the struggling Colorado Rockies on Monday night at Wrigley Field. Taillon (4-3) was nearly untouchable, retiring the first 14 batters he faced and allowing just four hits over 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out seven without issuing a walk, setting the tone early and keeping a punchless Rockies lineup in check. His lone blemish came in the fifth inning when Mickey Moniak launched a solo home run to tie the game — his second homer in as many days and fifth of the season.

“I felt in rhythm early and just stayed aggressive,” Taillon said postgame. “The defense was great behind me, and the offense came through when we needed it.”

The Cubs (8-2 in their last 10 games) jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning when Ian Happ scored on a Dansby Swanson groundout. Though Moniak's blast briefly evened the score, Chicago answered in the bottom of the fifth. Matt Shaw singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and was brought home on a sharp single by Tucker, who continued to show his value since joining the team.Tucker wasn’t done. In the seventh inning, he lifted a sacrifice fly to right, driving in his second run of the night and extending the Cubs' lead to 3-1.

Colorado (9-45), mired in a brutal stretch that has seen them drop eight of their last nine games, mounted a threat in the sixth. With runners on second and third and one out, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner came up big, throwing out Jacob Stallings at the plate on a fielder’s choice. Michael Toglia then struck out looking to end the inning, and the Rockies never got another runner past first base. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised his team’s poise: “That sixth inning was huge. Nico’s play saved a run, and Taillon came up with a big punchout. That’s winning baseball.”

Rookie left-hander Carson Palmquist (0-3) was tagged with the loss for Colorado after allowing two runs over five innings in his third major league start. Despite the victory, one notable streak came to an end. Shortstop Dansby Swanson went 0-for-4, snapping his career-best 24-game on-base streak. The Cubs remain atop the NL Central as they continue their push into the summer with renewed confidence and momentum. The Rockies, meanwhile, continue to search for answers in what has quickly become a historically difficult season.