Cubs' Hoerner Reflects on 6-2 Victory Over Rays

Shortstop discusses his leadoff homer, pitcher's performance in home win.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:52am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, capturing the dynamic action and energy of a baseball game.Hoerner's leadoff homer and Rea's pitching help the Cubs secure a crucial early-season victory over the Rays.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner spoke to reporters after his team's 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, highlighting his leadoff home run to start the game and praising the strong outing by starting pitcher Colin Rea.

Why it matters

The Cubs' win over the Rays continues their solid start to the 2026 MLB season, as they look to build on last year's playoff appearance and challenge for the NL Central division title.

The details

Hoerner led off the game with a home run, setting the tone for the Cubs' offensive outburst. Rea, the starting pitcher, delivered a quality start, allowing just two runs over 6 innings to earn the win.

  • The game was played on April 9, 2026.

The players

Nico Hoerner

The starting shortstop for the Chicago Cubs.

Colin Rea

The starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in the game.

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What they’re saying

“It was great to get us on the board early with that leadoff homer. Anytime you can set the tone like that, it really gets the team going.”

— Nico Hoerner, Cubs Shortstop

“Colin did a fantastic job keeping us in the game. He battled through some tough spots and gave us a chance to pull away late.”

— Nico Hoerner, Cubs Shortstop

What’s next

The Cubs will look to build on this win as they continue their homestand, hosting the Rays for one more game before welcoming the Brewers to Wrigley Field.

The takeaway

Hoerner's leadoff homer and Rea's strong pitching performance were key factors in the Cubs' victory, showcasing the team's ability to win close games early in the season as they aim to return to the playoffs.