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Cade Horton Efficient in 2026 Debut as Cubs Rout Nationals 10-2

The outing signaled a staff-leading role with a careful build in innings after last year's rib fracture.

Overview

  • Horton, who took the mound Saturday at Wrigley Field, worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
  • He needed only 75 pitches to get 19 outs, producing 10 ground-ball outs that included two inning-ending double plays.
  • Chicago piled on four runs in the second and four more in the sixth, capped by Ian Happ’s three-run homer and Miguel Amaya’s first home run since May 19 of last year.
  • Horton’s four-seam fastball drove the day as he threw it 45 times for strikes on 85 percent of those uses at 95 to 97 mph with late movement.
  • Manager Craig Counsell pointed to the start as early proof of a frontline role and said the team will monitor Horton’s workload as he builds innings in his first full season.