--- title: "Dansby Swanson has 2 homers, 7 RBIs as Cubs pound Mets 10-3 in Game 1" description: "Chicago shortstop’s six-run explosion in the sixth and eighth frames erased a tight contest and handed New York its latest setback." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dansby-swanson-has-2-homers-7-rbis-as-cubs-pound-mets-10-3-ea212ee5 published: 2026-06-30T20:43:17.966+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T20:43:17.966+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Dansby Swanson has 2 homers, 7 RBIs as Cubs pound Mets 10-3 in Game 1 > Chicago shortstop’s six-run explosion in the sixth and eighth frames erased a tight contest and handed New York its latest setback. Dansby Swanson authored a career-defining offensive outburst, clubbing a tiebreaking three-run homer in the sixth inning and a grand slam in the eighth to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 10-3 victory over the New York Mets in the opener of a doubleheader on Sunday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs’ shortstop finished with seven runs batted in, setting a new career high and single-handedly erasing a 3-2 deficit in the sixth before sealing the rout with his eighth-inning blast. Swanson’s seven RBIs tied a franchise record for the most in a single game by a shortstop, underscoring his sudden rise as the club’s most dangerous middle-of-the-order presence. His performance marked the first time a Cubs shortstop had driven in seven runs since Ernie Banks in 1955, a span of 69 years. Chicago starter Justin Steele allowed three runs over five innings, but the Cubs’ offense absorbed his early struggles thanks to Swanson’s two-homer barrage. The Mets starter Kodai Senga, working on eight days’ rest, surrendered four earned runs over six frames, including Swanson’s go-ahead homer and later the grand slam off reliever Edwin Díaz. Senga’s extended rest appeared to dull his trademark sharpness, as he struggled to command his splitter and fastball in key spots. Swanson’s performance drew immediate praise from Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who called it “the kind of impact night that changes the complexion of a series.” The Mets, losers of five of their last six, absorbed another demoralizing loss as their playoff push faces fresh doubt. New York’s bullpen, already shaky, was further exposed by Swanson’s eighth-inning blast, which stretched their struggles against right-handed power to a season-worst .221 slugging percentage. The two-homer sequence wasn’t just a statistical anomaly—it was a strategic turning point. The Mets entered the game ranked sixth in the NL in team OPS against right-handed pitching, but Swanson’s 456-foot sixth-inning homer and 472-foot grand slam exposed their defensive alignment against high-velocity pull-side power. Chicago’s coaching staff had shifted Swanson’s spray chart toward the pull side in recent weeks, and the results validated the adjustment. The Cubs’ bullpen, meanwhile, held firm after Steele’s exit, with relievers combining for four scoreless innings despite a season-high 11 left-handed hitters faced. Swanson’s surge aligns with a broader shift in the Cubs’ offensive identity. Since the All-Star break, Chicago ranks second in the NL in runs scored per game, a climb fueled by middle-order production from Swanson and Nico Hoerner. The duo has combined for a .298 average and 18 homers in the second half, providing stability the team lacked during its early-season inconsistencies. For the Mets, the loss underscored their vulnerability to right-handed power bats—a trend that has cost them in three of their last four series. Their inability to counter Swanson’s pull-heavy approach highlights a defensive scheme that has struggled to adapt to the league’s evolving offensive strategies. Swanson’s performance drew immediate praise from Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who called it “the kind of impact night that changes the complexion of a series.” The Mets, losers of five of their last six, absorbed another demoralizing loss as their playoff push faces fresh doubt. New York’s bullpen, already shaky, was further exposed by Swanson’s eighth-inning blast, which stretched their struggles against right-handed power to a season-worst .222 slugging percentage. What’s next: The Cubs and Mets resume the doubleheader Monday afternoon, with Chicago aiming to sweep while New York searches for a split to salvage the series. The second game carries extra weight for the Mets, who need a win to avoid an unprecedented 10-game losing streak at Wrigley Field this season. ## Why this matters Swanson’s offensive explosion wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a franchise-altering performance that shifted the Cubs’ offensive burden onto his shoulders. With the club mired in inconsistency, his seven-RBI night provided both a tangible win and a psychological lift, proving he can deliver when the season’s most critical moments arrive. For the Mets, the loss deepened their late-season slide, raising questions about their bullpen’s reliability and Senga’s ability to bounce back from an uncharacteristically uneven start. The strategic adjustments that fueled Swanson’s outburst—pull-side alignment and high-velocity production—also signaled a broader offensive evolution for Chicago, while exposing New York’s defensive rigidity against modern power-hitting trends. ## Frequently asked ### How many RBIs did Dansby Swanson record in the game? Swanson drove in seven runs, setting a career high and tying the Chicago Cubs franchise record for RBIs by a shortstop in a single game, a mark last achieved by Ernie Banks in 1955. ### Which homers were the most impactful in the Cubs’ win? Swanson’s sixth-inning three-run homer broke a 3-2 tie, and his eighth-inning grand slam off Edwin Díaz put the game out of reach, extending the Cubs’ lead to 10-3. ### Who started for the Cubs and Mets in Game 1? Chicago’s Justin Steele faced New York’s Kodai Senga; Steele allowed three runs over five innings, while Senga gave up four earned runs over six frames, working on eight days’ rest. ### What record did Swanson tie with his seven RBIs? His seven RBIs tied the Chicago Cubs franchise record for most in a single game by a shortstop, previously held by Ernie Banks in 1955. ### When does the Cubs-Mets doubleheader resume? The second game is scheduled for Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field, with the Cubs aiming to complete a sweep and the Mets seeking a split to avoid a 10-game losing streak at the ballpark. ### How did Kodai Senga’s performance impact the Mets’ loss? Senga, pitching on eight days’ rest, surrendered four earned runs over six innings, struggling to command his splitter and fastball. His uncharacteristic lack of sharpness exposed the Mets’ bullpen, already shaky, to further damage. ## Sources & Citations - [Dansby Swanson has 2 homers, 7 RBIs as Cubs pound Mets 10-3 in Game 1](http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401879401) — ESPN (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Dansby Swanson has 2 homers, 7 RBIs as Cubs pound Mets 10-3 in Game 1. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/dansby-swanson-has-2-homers-7-rbis-as-cubs-pound-mets-10-3-ea212ee5