Bats aid Javier Assad's strong start as Cubs thump Rays

Chicago Cubs defeat Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 in series opener

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:22am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes in the colors of the Cubs and Rays uniforms, abstracting the players and action of the baseball game into a dynamic, fragmented composition.A cubist interpretation of the Cubs' decisive victory over the Rays, capturing the dynamic energy and motion of the game through a fragmented, geometric lens.St. Petersburg Today

Javier Assad threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Moises Ballesteros hit late-inning home runs to seal the Chicago Cubs' 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Florida. Seven Cubs had two or more hits as part of a 16-hit output, with Nico Hoerner going 2-4 with two RBIs.

Why it matters

The win evens the three-game series between the Cubs and Rays, two teams looking to build momentum early in the 2026 MLB season. Assad's strong start on the mound and the Cubs' balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Rays to overcome.

The details

Assad (1-0), making his season debut after beginning the year in Triple-A Iowa, retired the first 12 Rays in order and allowed just one hit and two walks, striking out three. Mason Englert (0-1) took the loss for Tampa Bay, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. The Cubs broke the game open with a two-run second inning and added runs in the third, sixth, seventh, and ninth innings.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The players

Javier Assad

Chicago Cubs pitcher who threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the win.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Chicago Cubs outfielder who hit a home run in the seventh inning.

Moises Ballesteros

Chicago Cubs infielder who hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning.

Nico Hoerner

Chicago Cubs infielder who went 2-4 with two RBIs.

Mason Englert

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher who took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings.

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What they’re saying

“Javier Assad threw the ball really well tonight and our offense did a great job of putting together some timely hits. It was a total team effort and a big win for us to even up the series.”

— David Ross, Chicago Cubs Manager

What’s next

The Cubs and Rays will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Wednesday night in St. Petersburg.

The takeaway

The Cubs' balanced offensive attack and strong pitching performance from Javier Assad proved too much for the Rays, evening the series and providing momentum for the Cubs as they look to build on this win.