"Kelly put Chicago on top with an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st inning. They would add two more in the following frame when Michael Busch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Matt Shaw lifted a sacrifice fly to left field. Imanaga had a pair of clean innings to keep the score at 3-0 after three."
"The North Siders answered right back in the bottom of the 5th with a solo home run by Kelly and a double by B.J. Murray that increased the advantage to 6-2. The Padres pushed across three more tallies in the final two frames to make it close, but the Cubs survived to win 6-5."
"Shōta had higher velocity in this game than at any point in 2025, which would be very helpful if it continues going forward. Kelly provided an unexpected influx of offense at the catching position for the Cubs in 2025. It's just the beginning of camp, but the early returns look very promising."
The Cubs won their first spring training game of 2026 against the Padres 6-5 at Sloan Park. Carson Kelly drove in the opening run with an RBI single in the first inning, and Chicago built a 3-0 lead through three innings with additional runs from Michael Busch being hit by a pitch and Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly. Shōta Imanaga pitched cleanly through three innings. San Diego scored twice in the fourth on a Nick Castellanos double, but the Cubs responded with a three-run fifth inning featuring Kelly's solo home run and B.J. Murray's double. The Padres scored three more runs in the final frames but fell short. Imanaga showed improved velocity compared to 2025, and Kelly demonstrated strong offensive potential at the catching position.
Read at Cubsinsider
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