Marlins Defeat Cubs 8-2 in 12 Innings to Dampen Chicago Wild Card Push
On September 22, 2026, at Wrigley Field, the Miami Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-2 in a 12-inning game, according to game statistics reported by ESPN and the Associated Press. Griffin Conine drove in the tiebreaking run in a six-run 12th inning that halted Chicago’s late-season National League wild card push in front of an attendance of 33,759.
Wrigley Field Marathon Extends Past Regulation
The matchup stretched across 4 hours and 10 minutes, forcing deep bullpen usage from both clubs. According to Associated Press coverage, Miami broke open a 2-2 deadlock in the top of the 12th inning by plating six runs against the Chicago relief corps. Relief pitcher J. Ekness earned the win for the Marlins, moving his record to 3-4 after throwing a scoreless frame with two strikeouts and one walk. C. Thielbar took the loss for the Cubs, yielding two earned runs on two hits in the 12th.
Marsee, Kyle Stowers, J. Sanoja, and J. Mack. The outburst expanded Miami’s hit total to 11 for the night, outpacing Chicago’s seven hits.
Play-by-Chief Moments and Mid-Game Stalemate
Prior to the 12th-inning collapse, the contest was tightly contested. Ramírez opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a single to center field that drove in Kyle Stowers. Stowers extended Miami’s lead in the sixth inning by launching a solo home run to left-center field, traveling 372 feet.
The Cubs responded in the bottom half of the sixth. Mack, while Seiya Suzuki advanced to third on the play. Ian Happ subsequently singled to right field, driving in Suzuki and knotting the score at 2-2. That deadlock held firmly through the end of regulation and deep into extra frames before Miami’s decisive surge.
Wild Card Standings and Regional Implications
According to MLB standings data, the Cubs sit at 87-70, remaining 11 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers while fighting to secure an NL wild card berth. Meanwhile, the Marlins improved their record to 77-80, holding third place in the National League East behind Atlanta and Philadelphia.
