Dansby Swanson sits, scores winning run for Cubs
https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27470e5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2994x1996+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4a%2F73%2F3e74158e4fc1aacd61acd264fa64%2Fgiants-cubs-baseball.jpg" />
https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/06/04/cubs-walk-off-win-pete-crow-armstrong-dansby-swanson-dropped-fly-ball-slump-nl-central-standings" >Dansby Swanson was benched Saturday.
Well, mostly.
Hitting .139 over his last 11 games, Swanson didn’t start Saturday. Nico Hoerner shifted over to shortstop and rookie Pedro Ramirez played at second base.
“Just at this point, just give him a couple of days away from the game," manager Craig Counsell said. "Obviously he's healthy and could be in there, but just try to give him a different look and just a little break mentally.”
Though his defense has remained strong this season – he’s tied for third in baseball among shortstops with six outs above average – the https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs" >Cubs still need something from Swanson’s bat.
The hope is that some of the positive work Swanson’s doing will translate to better production on the field.
Perhaps the break will help get things right for Swanson, signed through 2029.
“You’re trying to create good swings, trying to create consistent swing decisions and good swings,” Counsell said. “That’s what produces the results.”
Counsell clarified that Swanson was available for use, and that came true in the bottom of the 10th.
Moises Ballesteros made the final out of the ninth inning and was slated to be the Cubs’ runner to begin the 10th at second.
Counsell chose to pinch-run with Swanson and he subsequently scored the game-winning run on a single by Michael Busch.
Brown delivers again
The nascent Ben Brown All-Star campaign got more legs Saturday.
Brown threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out five over a season-high 87 pitches.
Despite seemingly cruising along, Brown was lifted after the Giants’ Casey Schmitt lined out to center.
“Ben was just done,” Counsell said. “That was the limit that we were going to go with him.”
The Cubs know they must be careful with Brown, who started the season in the bullpen.
Though they want to win games and are gradually stretching him out, the Cubs will be cautious with the 26-year-old right-hander who’s emerged as their best starter.
Brown understands the plan and said there’s been open dialogue between him, the training staff and the Cubs coaches.
“Everybody has a pretty good gauge of how I’m feeling and what do I need to go out there and compete,” said Brown, who has a 1.44 ERA in six starts. “Obviously, what I’m doing is pretty unique from a build-up standpoint so they’ve been honoring that.
It’s been really nice.”
Pen pals
Brown was taken out and Rafael Devers immediately homered off Caleb Thielbar. Daniel Palencia gave up a run in the ninth that would’ve been decisive if Pete Crow-Armstrong hadn’t homered to tie the game.
Other that, the Cubs bullpen gave them a chance.
Ryan Rolison navigated the 10th inning, getting the last two outs by striking out Devers and inducing a Luis Arraez pop-up to strand runners on first and second.
Before that, Jacob Webb threw two scoreless innings.
Rolison lowered his ERA to 2.49 – a giant improvement from the 7.02 he had last year with the Rockies.
“That guy looks like a whole different pitcher than the moment he showed up,” Brown said. “He’s grown so much and it’s a testament to his work ethic.
It’s been really impressive to watch him develop.”