Marlins beat Cubs 3-2, delaying Chicago’s playoff clinch again

The Cubs came back from two runs down Wednesday night, but their chance to secure a postseason berth slipped away for the second straight game. Miami broke a sixth-inning tie in the seventh and held on for a 3-2 win at Wrigley Field. Chicago fell to 87-71, and MLB's standings still showed its playoff berth as unclinched after the game.

Kevin Gausman gave the Cubs an effective start. The right-hander struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, both on Kyle Stowers' sixth-inning drive to center. Stowers had also homered in Miami's extra-inning win Tuesday, making his latest swing the first score of another tight game. Gausman kept the Marlins off the board for five innings, including three consecutive strikeouts after Javier Sanoja opened the fifth with a ground-rule double into the ivy.

Chicago's answer came quickly. Michael Busch and Ian Happ scored on Dansby Swanson's broken-bat single in the bottom of the sixth, bringing the Cubs even at 2-2. It was their one scoring hit with runners in position after Tuesday's 12-inning loss, when the lineup had repeatedly failed to cash in chances. Miami starter Ryan Gusto worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out five before the Cubs pushed those runs across against the bullpen.

The next inning turned on a sequence rather than a hard hit. Agustín Ramírez reached on an infield single, and Esteury Ruiz singled him to third. Joe Mack then hit a grounder that Chicago initially appeared to turn into a double play. Miami challenged the force play, the call was overturned, and Ramírez's run counted as Mack was retired at first. The Marlins led 3-2. Ryan Rolison took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in relief. MLB's official September 23 highlights show the scoring sequence.

Chicago did not produce another run. Miami's relievers kept the lead intact, and Sandy Alcantara finished the ninth for his second save. The Cubs had tied the game without getting much sustained offense and could not turn that brief rally into a win. The Cubs collected eight hits overall but stranded seven runners. Their final chance ended when Alcantara induced a double play in the ninth. That finish captured the margin between the clubs: Chicago had erased Miami’s first lead, yet one run created by the Marlins’ seventh-inning contact and replay challenge decided the night.

The loss left their playoff clinch unresolved with four regular-season games remaining. Thursday's series finale against Miami is their last game at Wrigley before a closing three-game trip to Boston.