Home / Sports / Horton Dominates in Cubs' First Win, Shines After Injury
Horton Dominates in Cubs' First Win, Shines After Injury
29 Mar
Summary
- Cade Horton excelled in his 2026 season debut after recovering from a broken rib.
- He pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, allowing two runs and striking out four.
- Horton's performance was key to the Cubs' 10-2 victory, their first of the season.
Cade Horton delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, leading the Chicago Cubs to their first win of the 2026 season, a 10-2 victory against the Washington Nationals. Fully recovered from a broken rib that ended his 2025 season prematurely, Horton pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out four and walking one.
This marked a triumphant return for the Rookie of the Year runner-up, who aims to build on his impressive 2.67 ERA from the previous year. Horton's outing showcased his prowess, with his four-seam fastball averaging 95.4 mph and touching 96.9 mph.
Manager Craig Counsell and veteran Ian Happ praised Horton's control and ability to get early outs, leading to a low pitch count of 75. The Cubs intend to manage his workload carefully this season, similar to their conservative approach in late 2025.
Horton expressed his excitement for the season ahead, embracing the opportunity to pitch deep into games and contribute to the Cubs' aspirations of contention.
