Cubs Defeat Athletics 9-2 Behind Imanaga

The Chicago Cubs secured a 9-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics, with Shota Imanaga striking out a career-high 11 batters and earning his fifth consecutive win, bringing his record to 14-3 this season. Dansby Swanson contributed significantly with a three-run homer and four RBIs, helping the Cubs stay in contention for the final NL wild card spot. Despite the win, the Cubs remain five games behind the New York Mets with only 12 games left in the season. The Athletics' Brent Rooker hit a two-run homer, but the team suffered their third straight loss. Imanaga's effectiveness was highlighted by his use of a split-finger fastball, which proved crucial during the game. The Cubs' offensive effort included contributions from multiple players, with Isaac Paredes and Miguel Amaya each driving in two runs.