Ian Happ's 1st-inning single lifts Chicago Cubs over Texas Rangers
Ian Happ singled home Michael Conforto in the 1st, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 7-1 on May 8, 2026. Ben Brown allowed no runs over 4 innings.
By Gamebook Baseball Desk
Reporting date: . Published: .
The Chicago Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 7-1 on May 8, 2026. Ian Happ's single off Kumar Rocker with two outs in the 1st put the Cubs ahead 1-0.
How the game turned
The Rangers trailed 3-0 when Justin Foscue singled home Evan Carter in the 5th, cutting the Cubs' lead to 3-1.
The Chicago Cubs scored in 4 of their 9 offensive innings. The 7th brought 3 runs, the club's largest total in an inning. The Texas Rangers went scoreless in 8 of 9 innings. The Chicago Cubs won by 6 runs.
The first turn for the Chicago Cubs
The Cubs led 4-1 when Michael Busch drove in three with a double in the 7th, extending the Cubs' lead to 7-1.
How the Cubs hit
Ian Happ finished 1-for-4 with 2 runs, 1 RBI, and 1 walk. Seiya Suzuki had 1 hit in 3 at-bats with 2 runs, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks. Michael Busch collected 1 hit across 3 at-bats with 1 run, 1 double, 3 RBIs, and 2 walks. Pete Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-4 with 1 double and 1 RBI. 7 batters combined for the Chicago Cubs' 9 hits. They also drew 6 walks. 4 hits went for extra bases.
The game left Happ at .243 with 9 home runs and 18 RBIs on the season. Rangers hitter Justin Foscue finished 1-for-2 with 1 RBI.
Pitching
In 4 innings, Ben Brown threw 46 pitches, allowing no hits and no runs, walking 1 and striking out 3. 4 pitchers combined for the Chicago Cubs' 9 innings on 116 pitches, allowing 2 hits and 5 walks with 4 strikeouts.
Rangers starter Kumar Rocker worked 3⅔ innings on 87 pitches, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs, walking 3 and striking out 3.
Club record
The Chicago Cubs closed May 8, 2026 at 27-12, 1st in the division. The Cubs ranked 1st in the league with a .692 winning percentage.
Official sources
Team facts, standings, and players reflect the reporting date.