Cubs demolish Mariners 10–7: Sizzling in harsh weather

CHICAGO – On a blisteringly hot afternoon at Wrigley Field, where the outside temperature topped 94°F (34°C) and the wind was blowing more than 20 mph off the outfield, the Chicago Cubs put on one of their most explosive offensive performances of the season. The home team defeated the Seattle Mariners 10–7, cementing their lead in the National League Central.

Fierce Start: Ian Happ Fires Off the First At-Battle
The game began with Ian Happ setting the field on fire with a leadoff home run in his first at-bat – his ninth home run of the season. It was the start of a blistering day for Happ. In his second at-bat of the fourth inning, Happ followed it up with a three-run homer, giving the Cubs a 7–0 lead. “The ball was flying like crazy today,” Happ said. “With the wind conditions, every swing had a chance to go.” He finished with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored, 4 RBIs – an All-Star performance.

Cubs’ “scorers” continue their form
Not only Happ, the Cubs’ offense played effectively:
Kyle Tucker, a rookie from the Astros, had his 19th solo home run of the season in the first inning.

Michael Busch helped extend the gap with a 3-run homer in the third, making it 9–1.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) – the Cubs’ most popular young star – extended his streak with his 21st solo homer of the season, leading the team.

“We don’t play solo. Every play is built up,” PCA said after the game.

Despite trailing 9–1, the Seattle Mariners didn’t give up: Cal Raleigh, who leads MLB with 30 home runs, continued his blistering form with his 30th homer in the ninth. Donovan Solano and Luke Raley each had three hits and recorded four RBIs, cutting the lead to 10–7. The Mariners put the Cubs on the defensive at times in the final three innings, but couldn’t close the gap.

Recalled-to-the-line Brad Keller (3–0) was solid, making five key outs in the middle of the game to keep the Cubs from making a comeback. Daniel Palencia played the “locker” role by striking out Donovan Solano in the final play, sealing a 10–7 victory.

With the win, the Chicago Cubs improved their record to 46–30, maintaining their lead at the top of the NL Central, while the Mariners fell to 38–37. The win was not only a tactical victory, but also a testament to the team’s depth and ability to cope with harsh weather conditions.