Justin Verlander wins first home game since joining Giants as San Francisco beats Cubs 5-2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Justin Verlander finally won at home for the first time since joining the Giants, backed by Matt Chapman's sixth-inning home run and an earlier drive by Wilmer Flores, and San Francisco beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Tuesday night.

Verlander (2-10) allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked two over six innings. He had been 0-6 at home this season, and the Giants had gone 3-9 in his previous 12 outings at Oracle Park since he signed a $15 million, one-year contract in January.

Chapman connected for his 17th homer as San Francisco won its third straight following a four-game skid.

Rafael Devers blooped a go-ahead single into shallow left field with two out in the fifth after Heliot Ramos doubled to tie it. Carson Kelly had given Chicago the lead on a single in the top of the inning.

Flores homered in the second to stake Verlander to an early lead. Matt Shaw's RBI single in the fourth tied it.

Ryan Walker finished for his 12th save.

Matthew Boyd (12-7) struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings for the Cubs, who had won three straight and eight of 10. His last time out against Milwaukee, the lefty ended a four-start winless stretch in which he was 0-3.

Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled with two outs in the fifth and left fielder Heliot Ramos dropped the fly ball but quickly retrieved it and fired to Casey Schmitt at second, and Crow-Armstrong was initially called out on the tag. Cubs manager Craig Counsell challenged the call and it was overturned on replay review. Kelly singled moments later.

San Francisco improved to 15-26 over its last 41 home games, winning at Oracle Park for just the third time in its last 18.

RHP Colin Rea (10-5, 3.96 ERA) pitches the middle game for Chicago on Wednesday night opposite LHP Carson Whisenhunt (1-1, 4.91).

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San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, middle, reacts after hitting an RBI single between first base coach Mark Hallberg, right, and Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch during the fifth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman (26) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Wilmer Flores (41) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, foreground, and left fielder Ian Happ (8) watch as fans reach for a two-run home run hit by San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander walks off the mound after retiring the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg was ruled out for the second half against Denver after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half Wednesday night.

Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson, and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6:01 left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2:35 before the break.

The 19-year-old didn't come of the locker room for the second half before the announcement that he was out for the game. Flagg injured the same ankle two nights earlier, leaving briefly to get it taped before returning and leading Dallas with 27 points in a 113-105 victory over Brooklyn.

Flagg was playing his 40th game, three more than his only season as a Duke standout when he led the Blue Devils to the Final Four as The Associated Press men's player of the year last season.

Flagg missed just one game in the first 41 of the Mavericks, due to an illness in November. The Rookie of the Year contender is averaging 19.1 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Dallas center Daniel Gafford was ruled out in the second half against the Nuggets with a right ankle sprain that has bothered the seventh-year pro most of the season.

The Mavericks were already without their top two frontcourt players in 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and young center Dereck Lively II. Davis is expected to be sidelined about six weeks with ligament damage in his left hand, and Lively is out for the season following foot surgery.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, goes up for a basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)