The Cubs lose a 14-6 slugfest to the Mariners on June 22, 2025. Despite two homers from Seiya Suzuki, Chicago's pitching couldn't stop the Seattle offense.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those classic windy days at Wrigley Field where the ball was just flying, but unfortunately for the Cubs, most of them were coming off Mariners' bats. In a wild 14-6 slugfest, the Cubs' offense showed plenty of life with four home runs, but the pitching staff couldn't contain the floodgates, leading to a disappointing series finale loss.
Seiya Suzuki was a bright spot for the Cubs, going 2-for-4 with two home runs (his 19th and 20th of the season) and three RBIs.
The scoreboard looked more like a football game by the final out. While the Cubs' bats did their part, launching four homers into the bleachers, the pitching simply couldn't keep pace. Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Tucker, and Reese McGuire all went deep, and for a moment, it felt like a comeback was brewing. Suzuki's second blast of the day, his 20th of the season, cut the Mariners' lead to 5-4 in the fifth inning. But the hope was short-lived. Starter Colin Rea battled through five innings, surrendering five runs, but the real damage came against the bullpen. Chris Flexen and Nate Pearson were shelled for a combined seven runs as Seattle pulled away with a two-run sixth and a five-run eighth, scoring in six different innings to seal the rout.
In a game most fans will want to forget, Seiya Suzuki gave everyone something to remember. The right fielder was locked in, crushing his 19th and 20th home runs of the year. His powerful performance single-handedly kept the Cubs in the game through the middle innings and served as a reminder of the potent, game-changing bat he brings to the heart of the order. Even in a lopsided loss, seeing your star player shine this brightly is a significant silver lining.
As the big-league club struggled, news from the farm system provided a jolt of excitement. Catcher Moises Ballesteros, just 21 years old, is getting the call to the majors. Known for his impressive bat-to-ball skills, Ballesteros could provide an offensive spark down the stretch. His promotion is a testament to the organization's incredible depth. Even after trading top prospect Cam Smith for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs' system remains tied for the most Top 100 prospects in all of baseball with seven, a sign of a bright and sustainable future.
While Sunday's game was a forgettable one for the pitching staff, the beauty of baseball is the chance to bounce back tomorrow. The Cubs will need to have a short memory as they welcome the rival St. Louis Cardinals to Wrigley for a crucial division series. With Ben Brown on the mound and a fresh bat in the lineup, it's a perfect opportunity to wash away the taste of this loss and solidify their spot atop the NL Central.
