Kyle Tucker Powers Cubs to 12-3 Rout of Astros

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.

Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.

Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.

The offensive outburst came in support of Colin Rea (5-3), who allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The only blemish on his line was rookie Cam Smith’s two-run homer in the third, which briefly gave the Astros a 2-1 lead.

Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.

Key Moment

Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.

Key Stat

McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.

Up Next

Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.

In summary

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Houston Astros 12-3 on June 28, 2025, ending Houston's five-game winning streak. Kyle Tucker led the Cubs' offense with a four-hit, four-run performance, including a key three-run homer in a seven-run fourth inning. Other Cubs homers came from Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, and Nico Hoerner. Colin Rea earned the win for Chicago, allowing two runs over five innings. For Houston, rookie Cam Smith hit a two-run homer, and Isaac Paredes added a solo shot. Lance McCullers Jr. took the loss after allowing eight runs. The series concludes Sunday with Framber Valdez pitching for Houston against Jameson Taillon for Chicago.

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