Busch helps the Cubs top the Diamondbacks 6-5 in series opener

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Busch had two hits and two RBIs, helping Colin Rea and the Chicago Cubs top the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday.

Alex Bregman added a run-scoring double as banged-up Chicago posted its third consecutive win. Rea (4-1) scattered eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner departed in the second because of neck tightness. Hoerner is off to a terrific start this year, batting .297 with four homers and 26 RBIs while playing his usual stellar defense.

Arizona's Ildemaro Vargas extended his career-best hitting streak to 27 games, but the Diamondbacks lost for the seventh time in their last 10 games. Vargas went 4 for 4 with four singles and a walk, raising his batting average to .404.

Arizona trailed 6-1 before rallying in the sixth. Jorge Barrosa hit an RBI double off Ryan Rolison before Geraldo Perdomo connected for a three-run homer that landed in the basket in left field.

Following a Vargas single, Rolison struck out Corbin Carroll and Adrian Del Castillo to preserve Chicago's one-run lead.

Phil Maton struck out two in a perfect seventh for the Cubs, and Jacob Webb retired the Diamondbacks in order in the eighth. With Daniel Palencia sidelined by an oblique injury, Webb also handled the ninth for his first save of the season.

Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen (1-2) permitted six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Gallen departed his previous start against San Diego in Mexico City after he was hit by a line drive on his pitching shoulder.

Chicago jumped in front on Busch's two-run single with two down in the first. Carson Kelly added an RBI single when second baseman Vargas and center fielder Alek Thomas misplayed his flyball on a cold and windy day at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs tacked on three more runs in the fourth. Dansby Swanson hit an RBI single and scored on Bregman's double to left.

Ryne Nelson (1-2, 7.71 ERA) starts for Arizona on Saturday, and left-hander Shota Imanaga (2-2, 3.15 ERA) pitches for Chicago.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas , left, and second baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) chase a hit from Chicago Cubs' Carson Kelly (15) during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner (2) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Michael Busch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Colin Rea (53) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch (29) hits a two-run single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration was still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines, with talks ongoing and no final decision yet on whether to move forward with a potential bailout for a carrier mired in bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in less than two years.

Trump emphasized that a deal to rescue the financially strapped airline remained under review. The president did not provide details but said an announcement could come later Friday or Saturday.

“We’re looking at it. If we could do it, we’ll do it. But only if it’s a good deal,” he said, speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Florida.

The possibility of a bailout first emerged publicly last week, when Trump floated the idea of the U.S. government offering Spirit a financial lifeline to help keep the airline from going bust and out of business. Separately, a lawyer for the airline told a U.S. Bankruptcy Court that Spirit was in advanced talks with the government over financing that could allow it to exit Chapter 11 protection.

The president suggested the government would be able to resell the airline known for its bright yellow planes and “no frills” service for a profit once oil prices driven up by the Iran war come down.

Lawmakers from both parties and some members of the Trump administration have criticized the idea of using taxpayer funds to keep the ultra-low cost airline afloat. Speculation around Spirit's future and the likelihood of a deal emerging has mounted with every day that passes without a resolution as the airline's operating expenses and debts mount.

A spokesperson for Spirit, which has its headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, declined to comment on ongoing discussions Friday and said “Spirit is operating as usual.”

The Trump administration has delivered what the president described as a “final proposal” to the airline. He framed the possible federal intervention as an effort to preserve jobs but stressed that any financial arrangement worked out would have to benefit the government.

“If we can help them, we will," Trump said. “But we have to come first.”

Supporters of a rescue — including labor unions representing Spirit's pilots and flight attendants — say that a collapse would cost jobs, reduce competition and push fares higher.

The airline has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, weighed down by rising operating costs and growing debt. By the time it filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2024, Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020.

The budget carrier sought bankruptcy protection again in August 2025, when it reported having $8.1 billion in debts and $8.6 billion in assets, according to court filings.

Shortly before, its parent company revealed in a quarterly report that it had “substantial doubt” about Spirit’s ability to stay in business over the next year, citing “adverse market conditions” — including weak leisure domestic travel demand and ongoing “uncertainties in its business operations.”

About 1.7 million passengers took domestic flights with Spirit Airlines in February, about 500,000 fewer than it did during the same month a year earlier, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Spirit also has reduced its capacity by 51.6% year over year, Cirium said. The airline has roughly half as many seats on scheduled flights this month as it did in May 2025: 1,646,878 compared to 3,399,378, the firm said.

Rising jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war have intensified pressure on the airline. Its creditors last month expressed doubts about whether Spirit could continue operating, raising the possibility of the airline being forced to sell off assets and shut down.

Yamat reported from Las Vegas.

President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One, Friday, May 1, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

President Donald Trump walks to speak with reporters as he prepares to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

FILE - A Spirit Airlines 319 Airbus approaches Manchester Boston Regional Airport for a landing, June 2, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

FILE - The tail of a Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 is shown as the plane prepares to take off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Jan. 19, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)