Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (2/22/26): Giants 4, Cubs 2 – Triple Play Lowlights Bad Baserunning in Loss

The Cubs traveled away from Sloan Park for the first time this spring on Sunday afternoon, heading to Scottsdale for a matchup with the Giants. They came up short yet again after some adventures on the basepaths.

Chicago began the game by running into a triple play in the opening frame after a bloop single by Seiya Suzuki with men on first and second. Suzuki was thrown out at second base trying for an extra base after Alex Bregman got an excellent jump to go from first to third. Matt Shaw did not get a good read and froze between second and third, resulting in both players standing on third and Bregman being called out. Then, Shaw inexplicably wandered off the bag and became the third out to complete the triple play.

The Giants went ahead against Colin Rea in the 2nd inning when Will Brennan picked up an RBI infield single. A pair of run-scoring groundouts by Willy Adames and Rafael Devers in the 5th increased the home team’s advantage to 3-0.

The Cubs pulled within a run after a wild pitch and an error in the top of the 7th, but San Francisco got one back in the bottom of the frame on a double play. Chicago threatened in their last at-bat before going down to a 4-2 defeat. (Box score)

Key Moment

The North Siders had the bases loaded with one out in the top of 9th, but catcher Ariel Armas rapped into a double play to end the game.

Why the Cubs Lost

The baserunning was incredibly bad, with three players thrown out at home plate in addition to the triple play.

Stats That Matter

• Rea, who will factor in the rotation to some extent, allowed three hits and a walk in 1.2 innings.
• Miguel Amaya had two hits and he appears fully recovered from his ankle injury at the end of 2025.
• Shaw had a walk and a single, but he had another absent-minded play like we saw occasionally last year.

Bottom Line

The Cubs ran the bases very well in 2025 and Sunday demonstrated just how big an issue it can be if you struggle in that department. Let’s hope they continue to make it a priority in 2026.

On Deck

Chicago takes a trip to Surprise for a game against the Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon at 2:05pm CT. Ben Brown makes the start in a contest that will not be televised.