Game result and context
Marlins 8, Cubs 2: Miami scores six in the 12th at Wrigley as wild card leader Chicago drops 2026 series opener
The game turned in the 12th inning, when the Miami Marlins scored six runs to beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 at Wrigley Field. Kyle Stowers homered and scored three times. The Marlins improved to 77-80. The Cubs fell to 87-70 but still lead the wild card standings.
Final result
The Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 in 12 innings on September 22, 2026, at Wrigley Field. A crowd of 33,759 watched the opener of a three-game series.
Miami moved to 77-80 with the win. Chicago dropped to 87-70.
How the game changed
For five innings neither offense could hold an extra-inning collapse at bay, but it was the 12th that settled things. With the score tied at 2 through 11 innings, the Marlins sent six runs across in the top of the 12th and the Cubs could not answer.
Miami scored first with a run in the fourth. Kyle Stowers added a solo home run in the top of the sixth, and the Cubs answered with two runs in the bottom half to even the game. From there, both sides posted zeros from the seventh through the 11th before the Marlins broke through.
Key performances
Stowers did the most damage for Miami. He went 2 for 4 with three runs scored, two RBIs and the game's only home run.
Joe Mack went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Javier Sanoja had two hits in five at-bats and drove in a run, and Griffin Conine had a hit, a run and an RBI in six at-bats.
On the mound, Miami starter Janson Junk worked 5.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Shota Imanaga matched him in length for Chicago, allowing one earned run over 5.0 innings and striking out seven.
Season and playoff context
The loss did not cost the Cubs their place atop the wild card race. Chicago remains first in the wild card standings, though it sits second in its division, 11.0 games back, and has been eliminated from the division title.
The Marlins are third in their division, 15.0 games back, and sixth in the wild card standings, 10.0 games back. Miami has been eliminated from both the division and wild card races.
Series context
This was Game 1 of a three-game regular season series, with the Marlins taking the opener at Wrigley Field.