Cubs beat Braves 2-0 as Ian Happ hits long homer and staff combines for shutout

Ian Happ homered with a 424‑foot blast in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Atlanta Braves 2–0 on Thursday night. The win snapped a four‑game losing streak for Chicago. Starting pitcher Ben Brown delivered four hitless innings, striking out seven and walking one. Relievers Hoby Milner (1‑0), Phil Maton, Jacob Webb and closer Daniel Palencia each threw scoreless frames, with Palencia earning his third save. The Cubs’ pitching staff recorded 13 strikeouts on one walk, holding the Braves—who lead the majors in runs scored—to just five hits and two runs (one unearned). The first run came after a defensive error by Braves shortstop Ha‑Seong Kim on a Seiya Suzuki grounder, allowing a fielder‑choice RBI from Matt Shaw. Chris Sale worked six innings for Atlanta, allowing one unearned run on five hits and two walks while striking out eight. Happ’s home run, his 10th of the season, extended the lead to 2–0 in the eighth inning. The victory halted Chicago’s slide and marked the Braves’ second shutout of the season.