The Chicago Cubs survived a bumpy outing from starter Javier Assad and held off the Miami Marlins 6-5 on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at loanDepot park. Nico Hoerner led the way with a 3-for-5 performance, Ian Happ drove in two runs, and Michael Conforto added a home run as the Cubs scratched out enough offense to overcome a shaky pitching performance. Ryan Zeferjahn locked down the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit to earn the save, and Ryan Rolison picked up the win in relief. A one-run margin kept this one tight all night, but the Cubs got the job done.
Cubs Offense Carries the Load Against Miami Marlins
Five Cubs batters registered multi-hit games, and that production proved to be the difference. Hoerner was the catalyst, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. Happ went 2-for-4 with two RBI, providing crucial run support in the middle of the order. Conforto went 2-for-3 and launched a home run, accounting for one RBI. Michael Busch added a 2-for-5 night with an RBI, and catcher Miguel Amaya contributed two hits in three at-bats. The Cubs finished with 11 hits on the night, spreading the damage across the lineup rather than relying on any single blow.
Javier Assad Struggles Early, Cubs Bullpen Steadies the Ship
Assad did not have his best stuff. He lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits but issuing five walks — the free passes being his primary undoing. The Cubs needed their bullpen to cover 4.1 innings, and the group was mostly up to the task. Caleb Thielbar worked 1.1 innings and struck out two, though he did allow one earned run. Trent Thornton was charged with one earned run in 0.2 innings. Rolison provided a stable 0.2 innings to earn the win, and Zeferjahn closed things out cleanly, striking out one and walking one across 1.2 hitless innings to nail down the save.
Miami Kept Swinging — Stowers and Conine Made It Interesting
Credit the Marlins for not going quietly. Kyle Stowers went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, and Griffin Conine did real damage in limited action — going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI. Miami starter Ryan Gusto took the loss after being tagged for five earned runs on 10 hits across 4.2 innings, and the Marlins bullpen ultimately could not hold the Cubs' lead once it changed hands. The combination of Stowers and Conine gave Miami's offense enough pop to keep the Cubs on edge through the final out.
Turning Point: Cubs Build a Lead That Holds
The Cubs did enough damage against Gusto early to build a lead the bullpen could protect. Gusto surrendered 10 hits in fewer than five innings, and the Cubs' lineup made him pay by spreading those hits into a six-run total. Once Rolison and Zeferjahn took over in the late innings, Miami's offense had little margin left to work with, and a one-run deficit proved too much to overcome against Zeferjahn's clean closing effort.
What's Next for the Cubs
The Cubs continue their road series against the Miami Marlins following this Saturday victory. Chicago will look to build on this win and maintain the momentum generated by a balanced offensive effort. The pitching staff will need Assad to sharpen his command the next time out — five walks in 4.2 innings is not a sustainable formula, even when the offense is picking up the slack.
