Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/1/26): Cubs 23, Padres 3 – Swanson, Teammates Launch Early Fireworks Display
The Cubs put on an early fireworks display on Wednesday at Wrigley Field to complete a sweep of the Padres. The home team belted out eight dingers and reached double digits on the scoreboard with Dansby Swanson taking center stage for a second consecutive game.
It became clear immediately that it was Walker Buehler‘s day off when the San Diego starter gave up a three-run homer to Seiya Suzuki in the bottom of the 1st. Swanson began what would be a tremendous afternoon with a solo blast in the 2nd that made it 4-0.
The Cubs kept their foot on the gas with five more runs in the bottom of the 3rd, beginning with a two-run single by Miguel Amaya. Swanson struck again with a three-run homer to give his team a 9-0 lead.
Colin Rea had his only spot of bother in the top of the 5th when he gave up a pair on a solo shot by Sung-Mun Song and a ground rule double from Ty France that brought the Padres within 9-2. The North Siders wasted no time responding against left-handed reliever Kyle Hart in the bottom of the frame with a solo homer from Michael Conforto, followed by a three-run jack from Pete Crow-Armstrong that pushed the margin to 13-2.
The game was over after that, but the Cubs kept going as Conforto hit his second dinger in the 6th to expand the advantage to 15-3. San Diego raised the white flag at that point, bringing in catcher Rodolfo Durán to pitch the final innings. The home squad showed absolutely no mercy, building a snowman on him in the 8th inning. The highlight of that outburst was Swanson hitting a grand slam for his third homer of the afternoon to put the cherry on top of a 23-3 rout. (Box score)
Key Moment
Rea stranded the bases loaded in the top of the 3rd with Chicago in front 4-0. The Padres might have made it more interesting by scoring a couple of runs, but that didn’t happen.
Why the Cubs Won
The lineup exploded and turned this one into a complete laugher.
Stats That Matter
- Rea was solid and didn’t really need to be with all the run support: 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 5 K, and 3 BB.
- Swanson has five home runs and 12 RBI in his last two games.
- Conforto had three hits and four RBI.
- Suzuki hit his 100th career home run and also had a single and a double.
Bottom Line
The Cubs are a land of contrasts so far in 2026. They have looked like the worst team in baseball at times, and other times they appear to be unbeatable. They are currently on fire and piling up victories, making this an incredibly fun time to be at Wrigley. Swanson is totally unconscious and would be carrying the team if it weren’t for all the other players also hitting well.
On Deck
After a day off, the Cubs play a holiday series against the Cardinals at the Friendly Confines starting Friday afternoon at 3:05pm CT. David Peterson is on the mound against Andre Pallante in a game broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
