Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/12/25): Cubs 5, Marlins 2 – Rea Rolls to W
The Cubs welcomed the Marlins to Wrigley Field on Monday night to begin a three-game series. Chicago got a great starting pitching effort and used a big inning to win.
Both starting pitchers, Colin Rea and Cal Quantrill, were very sharp early and no one scored through the first four frames. Dansby Swanson broke the deadlock with a two-run homer off of Quantrill in the bottom of the 5th to put the North Siders on top 2-0.
The Cubs were not done in that inning, scoring three more times against left-handed reliever Anthony Veneziano to move ahead 5-0. Kyle Tucker hit an RBI triple and Seiya Suzuki blasted a two-run shot to complete the onslaught. Miguel Amaya also doubled to give the Cubs a cycle in the inning.
Rea lasted until the 7th inning, when Derek Hill whacked his own two-run homer to end the Chicago starter’s night and cut the Marlins deficit to 5-2. Daniel Palencia pitched the 8th inning and Drew Pomeranz picked up the save in the final frame to end it. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs offense had not done anything before the five-run 5th inning outburst, and they did not score again after it.
Why the Cubs Won
They got a quality starting pitching effort and combined it with one big inning to take this one.
Stats That Matter
- Rea continues to do excellent work in 2025: 6.2 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 4 K, 2 BB.
- Swanson had two more hits and continues to be red hot.
- Suzuki reached base three more times and is coming out of his slump.
Bottom Line
This was a good start to the Cubs’ stretch of games against subpar opponents. They should be able to score a lot of runs against some very bad pitching units. It would be a huge boost to the bullpen if Pomeranz can become a reliable guy.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Tuesday night at 6:40pm CT. Ben Brown makes the start against Valente Bellozo in a matchup broadcast on Marquee with radio coverage on 670 The Score.
