Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/19/26): Cubs 2, Mets 1 F/10 – Hoerner Walk-Off Completes Sweep

The Cubs trailed the Mets for most of the game Sunday, failing to scratch out a single run in the first eight innings. Then, in the bottom of the 9th, they rallied to even the score and proceeded to win the game in extra innings for their first sweep of the young season.

Javier Assad was the starter for Chicago and did an excellent job, giving up only a solo home run to MJ Melendez in the top of the 5th. New York used Tobias Myers as an opener and followed with David Peterson, who did well to protect their slender 1-0 lead into the late innings.

The North Siders missed some earlier chances before finally coming through against Mets closer Devin Williams in the bottom of the 9th. Ian Happ singled and was lifted for pinch-runner Scott Kingery, who then came around to score from first base on a game-tying RBI double by Michael Conforto.

The Cubs did not walk it off in the 9th, forcing extra innings. The Metropolitans could not push across a run in the top of the 10th, but Nico Hoerner came through with a sacrifice fly against Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the frame as the home squad was victorious 2-1. (Box score)

Key Moment

Lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar pitched around an infield single in the top of the 10th inning to keep the Mets’ ghost runner from scoring and put Chicago in position to win in the bottom half.

Why the Cubs Won

Excellent pitching kept them in the contest long enough to tie the score at the last possible chance, and Hoerner came through again with runners in scoring position.

Stats That Matter

• Major bounceback for Assad after a very rough start in Philadelphia: 5.2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 K, and 0 BB.
• Happ had two hits and a walk.
• Conforto was the second pinch-hitter of the game in the DH spot.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have now won five consecutive games, and they are doing it in myriad ways. Sometimes with the bats and other times, like Sunday, with pitching. It’s a skill that good teams are very proficient in, and it looks like Chicago is one of those squads.

On Deck

For the second time in less than a week, the Cubs take on the Phillies. This time it’s a four-game set at Wrigley Field starting Monday night at 6:40pm CT. Colin Rea goes up against Aaron Nola in a matchup broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.