Matthew Boyd, Cubs blank Royals, ruin Rich Hill's return to majors

Field Level Media|published: Tue 22nd July, 22:52 2025

Jul 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) singles against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Matthew Boyd pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs spoiled 45-year-old Rich Hill's return to the major leagues with a 6-0 win over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

Boyd (11-3) extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings while allowing four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw each had two hits for the Cubs, who bounced back after losing the opener of the three-game series 12-4 on Monday.

Hill (0-1) began his 21st season in the majors by giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits over five innings. The oldest active player in the major leagues, Hill walked two and had one strikeout.

Kansas City committed three errors and was shut out for the 11th time this season.

Chicago took a 2-0 lead in the second inning by capitalizing on a pair of miscues that put runners at the corners with one out.

Shaw drove in a run with an infield single and the Cubs executed a double steal before Justin Turner scored from third on Hoerner's fielder's choice.

Boyd retired the first 11 batters he faced before Maikel Garcia drew a two-out walk in the fourth inning.

The Royals recorded their first hit on Nick Loftin's leadoff single in the fifth inning. Loftin advanced to third on Freddy Fermin's one-out single, and John Rave followed with a bunt single to load the bases.

Boyd escaped the jam unscathed when Kyle Isbel lined out to Swanson, and the shortstop tagged Fermin out diving back to second base.

Chicago tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth when Carson Kelly hit a two-out single and scored on Pete Crow-Armstrong's double.

The Cubs added three runs in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Seiya Suzuki singled in a run and Kelly followed with a sacrifice fly. After Crow-Armstrong struck out, Chicago pushed another run across when Kyle Tucker swiped home as part of a double steal.

Crow-Armstrong returned after missing one game with a bruised right knee and went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

--Field Level Media

Latest