Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/13/26): Braves 4, Cubs 1 – Bats Stay Ice Cold in Fourth Consecutive L

The Cubs’ woeful hitting performance continued for a fourth consecutive game as they fell to the Braves for another defeat. The deep offensive funk wasted an outstanding starting pitching performance by Shōta Imanaga, who was very much a hard-luck loser Wednesday.

Neither team did anything in the first three frames, but Atlanta broke through in the bottom of the 4th when catcher Drake Baldwin hit a solo home run off of Imanaga. Chicago scored their only run when Nico Hoerner hit a game-tying RBI single against reliever Tyler Kinley in the top of the 5th.

Imanaga pitched into the bottom of the 8th before getting pulled after an infield single by Michael Harris II with nobody out. The Braves jumped all over reliever Phil Maton, beginning with a go-ahead RBI double by pinch-hitter Mike Yastrzemski.

Atlanta would add ultimately unnecessary insurance later in the frame when Mauricio Dubón ripped a two-run homer against Maton that got the margin to 4-1. The North Siders did nothing in the top of the 9th and went down to a fourth straight defeat. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs had two on and two out in the top of the 8th inning against reliever Robert Suárez, who struck out Seiya Suzuki to end the threat and keep the game tied.

Why the Cubs Lost

They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, continuing a familiar theme from this recent slump.

Stats That Matter

• Imanaga deserved a much better outcome: 7 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 6 K, and 0 BB.
• Alex Bregman is starting to heat up and had two of the team’s four hits.

Bottom Line

The Cubs are getting dangerously close to a real losing skid, which is something they really want to avoid. That is the quickest way to squander the ground they gained during two big winning streaks. The only way they are going to stop it is to start hitting again, which is a skill they demonstrated in the recent past.

On Deck

Chicago tries to avoid a sweep Thursday night at 6:15pm CT. Ben Brown faces off with reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale in a game broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.