Cubs rookie Cade Horton matches Bob Gibson feat in 4-1 win over Pirates
Horton has gone 8-1 since the All-Star break and allowed only six runs across an 11-start span, a mark not seen since Bob Gibson's 1968 season
Cade Horton duplicated a statistical achievement last seen in 1968 by Hall of Famer Bob Gibson as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old right-hander worked five innings, yielding one run on three hits while striking out six. Horton improved to 8-1 since the All-Star break and has allowed just six runs across his last 11 starts, a stretch highlighted by consistent command and low opponent scoring that has bolstered the Cubs' rotation down the stretch.
Opta Stats noted Horton is the first pitcher in the modern era to record eight or more wins while allowing six or fewer runs in an 11-start span in a single season since Gibson accomplished the feat in 1968. Gibson's 1968 campaign is widely regarded as one of the most dominant in baseball history; he finished that season with 268 strikeouts, a 1.12 ERA and 13 complete games, and he captured both the National League Cy Young and MVP awards.
Horton has made 21 starts this season, compiling a 2.66 ERA with 95 strikeouts. His recent run has made him a reliable option for the Cubs as they pursue a postseason berth. Chicago improved to 87-64 with the victory and remained five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central race while standing nine games ahead of the San Diego Padres for the top National League wild-card spot.
Horton's performance continued a trend of strong outings since midseason, during which he has limited opponents and helped stabilize a Cubs rotation that had faced injuries and inconsistency earlier in the year. Tuesday's start included a series of quality secondary offerings and a fastball that generated several swings-and-misses, keeping Pittsburgh hitters off balance through the fifth inning.
Chicago provided run support early and preserved the lead with bullpen work after Horton exited. The win extended the Cubs' margin over the Padres for the first wild-card position while leaving the division race largely in the hands of the Brewers, who hold the lead in the NL Central.
Horton's recent stretch will be monitored closely by the Cubs as the regular season winds down, with his role potentially influencing postseason rotation plans. The team continues to chase Milwaukee for the division while protecting its advantage for a wild-card berth.