The Atlanta Braves erased a three-run deficit and handed the Chicago Cubs a 6-3 loss at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Drake Baldwin, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies each went deep to fuel the comeback, doing enough damage against a Cubs bullpen that couldn't hold a lead in the middle innings. Kevin Gausman gave the Cubs a quality start, but Jacob Webb took the loss after surrendering two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, and the offense never generated enough cushion to survive Atlanta's power.

Kevin Gausman Solid, Cubs Bullpen Falters in Atlanta Comeback Win

Gausman was the best pitcher on the mound through the first six innings. The veteran right-hander worked 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits, walking nobody, and striking out six. That kind of performance typically gives a team a chance to win. On Tuesday night at Wrigley, it wasn't enough.

The Cubs' lead evaporated once the bullpen took over. Daniel Palencia bridged a third of an inning cleanly, but Jacob Webb ran into trouble in his 0.2-inning appearance, giving up two earned runs on two hits and a walk. That's where the game turned. Edward Cabrera came on to cover 2.1 innings and struck out three, but allowed two more earned runs on two hits and two walks, leaving the Cubs down for good.

Atlanta's Power Bats Were the Difference

The Braves got production from multiple spots in their lineup. Baldwin went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Acuña Jr. added a solo blast as part of a 1-for-5 night with two RBI. Albies was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Matt Olson chipped in with two hits in four at-bats. Atlanta's ability to string together damage from multiple lineup spots made the comeback possible and prevented the Cubs from recovering.

Martín Pérez earned the win after going six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with four walks and just two strikeouts. He wasn't overpowering, but he was effective when it counted. Didier Fuentes followed with two scoreless innings, striking out two, and Raisel Iglesias closed it out with a clean ninth to earn the save.

Matt Shaw Provides a Bright Spot for Chicago

On a night when the Cubs offense managed just three runs, Matt Shaw stood out with two hits in two at-bats, making him the most productive hitter in the home lineup from the boxscore highlights. The Cubs had chances — Pérez walked four batters in six innings — but couldn't convert consistently enough to build a lead that would hold up.

Key Performances

  • Drake Baldwin (ATL): 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Ozzie Albies (ATL): 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL): 1-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Matt Olson (ATL): 2-for-4
  • Matt Shaw (CHC): 2-for-2
  • Kevin Gausman (CHC): 5.2 IP, 6 K, 2 ER, 0 BB
  • Jacob Webb (CHC, L): 0.2 IP, 2 ER — took the loss
  • Martín Pérez (ATL, W): 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 BB
  • Raisel Iglesias (ATL, SV): 1.0 IP, scoreless

What's Next for the Cubs

The Cubs will look to bounce back in the next game of this series against Atlanta. Gausman did his job Tuesday — the formula for getting back in the win column starts with the bullpen finding a way to protect leads, and the offense putting up crooked numbers against a Braves pitching staff that showed some vulnerability with four walks from Pérez alone. Wrigley Field gave the Cubs the crowd. Now they need the performance to match.