Mexican Assad leads Cubs to victory

AP and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 31, 2025, p. a27

Mexican Javier Assad won his first game in nearly a year in the Major Leagues yesterday, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Kyle Tucker was also key to the win, connecting on two hits and driving in a run.

Assad allowed just three runs and seven singles in six innings, a remarkable performance considering the game was only his fourth start this season after being sidelined for four months with an oblique injury.

The Tijuana native's last win came on August 31, 2024, when he defeated Washington 7-4. Now recovered, Assad was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Iowa due to Jameson Taillon dealing with a groin injury.

The Chicago Cubs will look to sweep the series today at the Rockies' home ground after winning the first two games.

In the game, Kyle Tucker reached base four times and scored two runs, while Michael Busch, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each had two hits for the Cubs.

In extra innings, the New York Yankees defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-3 on a home run by Aaron Judge, extending the Bronx Bombers' winning streak to seven straight games.

Meanwhile, the reigning champion Dodgers fell 6-1 to the Diamondbacks, their second straight loss. Their star player, Shohei Ohtani, went hitless for the first time in four games, an atypical performance for the Japanese player.

Venezuelan Ildemaro Vargas hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to secure Arizona's fourth straight win.

Phillies defeat Braves

In Philadelphia, Trea Turner hit a two-run single with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Braves, spoiling the return of the most recent NL Cy Young Award winner, Chris Sale, to Atlanta's starting rotation.