Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/30/24): Rangers 11, Cubs 2 – Rangers Give Cubs a Texas-Sized Loss

The Cubs played their second game of the season against the Rangers at Globe life Park Saturday night. Chicago jumped out to an early lead but Texas stormed back behind their powerful lineup and won easily.

Dansby Swanson provided the aforementioned Cubs advantage with a two-run homer in the top of the 2nd. The Rangers got those runs right back when Jared Walsh took starter Kyle Hendricks deep in the bottom of the frame.

Adolis García put the home team ahead for good in the 3rd inning with an opposite-field two-run homer and Corey Seager ended Hendricks’ night with an RBI single in the 4th. Cubs hitters could do nothing more against Texas starter Cody Bradford or any of the bullpen arms that followed him.

Ben Brown made his major league debut in the 7th inning and pitched around a walk in a scoreless frame. Brown came back out for the 8th and the wheels completely came off as the Rangers scored six runs to turn the game in to an 11-2 rout. (Box score)

Key Moment

Walsh immediately responding to the Cubs lead with a game-tying home run put the road team on the back foot and they never seemed to recover.

Why the Cubs Lost

They didn’t do anything with the bats after Swanson’s dinger and the Rangers super-talented lineup exploded late.

Stats That Matter

• Hendricks fell victim to the long-ball, which has been a problem for him in the past: 3.2 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 2 K, and 2 BB.
• Luke Little pitched around a double in a clean inning of work Saturday.
• Christopher Morel had two hits for the Cubs, the only player on the team with more than one.
• Brown definitely got his welcome to the MLB moment in the 8th but he did record his first career strikeout.

Bottom Line

Losing the first two games of the season is not fun at all but again the Rangers have one of the best five teams in baseball. This is a very tough opening series and if the Cubs can steal the final game of this set it will feel like a success. I would advise everyone to avoid panic, at least, until they lose a game to the Rockies at Wrigley.

On Deck

Chicago tries to avoid a Texas sweep Easter Sunday at 1:35pm CT. Jordan Wicks takes on former first-round pick Jon Gray in a broadcast available on Marquee and 670 The Score.