Justin Steele dominating as Cubs cruise past Angels 5-1
Jul 5, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (35) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Justin Steele delivered his first career complete game as the host Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Friday afternoon in the opener of a three-game series.
Steele (1-3) needed 95 pitches to go the distance as the left-hander allowed one run on two hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Seiya Suzuki clubbed a two-run homer and Ian Happ also drove in two runs as Chicago won back-to-back games for the first time since June 18-19. Happ went 2-for-3 with a walk.
Taylor Ward had an RBI single and Keston Hiura also had a single to account for Los Angeles' two hits. Hiura was recalled before the game when Luis Rengifo was placed on the injured list.
Angels starter Griffin Canning (3-9) lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out four.
Cody Bellinger singled with two outs in the first and Suzuki followed with his 12th homer of the season to put Chicago up 2-0.
Happ made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the third.
Los Angeles threatened to score in the fourth after Logan O'Hoppe reached second on an error by right fielder Suzuki and Brandon Drury walked. Zach Neto laced a grounder to third baseman Miles Mastrobuoni, who made a diving stop and fired to second for an inning-ending force out.
Hiura had the Angels' first hit with one out in the fifth. He moved to second on a ground out and scored on Ward's base hit as Los Angeles pulled within 3-1. The run was the Angels' first in three games after they were shut out in consecutive games at Oakland.
The Cubs got the run back in the home half of the frame when Happ delivered another run-scoring single.
Nico Hoerner put the finishing touches on Chicago's victory in the sixth with a single to center to bring home Tomas Nido, who doubled.
--Field Level Media
Everything to Know About the 2025 NBA Cup Quarterfinals
Next Big Stars in WWE: Watch These 2026 Breakout Stars
The AFC Is Wide Open Heading Into Week 15
Kansas City Chiefs Need Offensive Changes This Offseason
- Eagles vs Chargers Monday Night Football Betting Prediction: Week 14 Bet Picks
- NBA Best Bets Today: Sunday Dec. 7th Top NBA Picks
- Texans vs Chiefs Sunday Night Football Betting Prediction: Week 14 Bet Picks
- Top 10 NFL Player Props for Week 14: Best Bets and Expert Picks
- College Football Conference Championship Best Betting Picks, Predictions
- UFC 323 Betting Picks: Best Bets for the Final ESPN Pay-Per-View
- NBA Best Bets Today: Top Betting Predictions for Friday Dec. 5th

