Brown posts best game score among Monday’s non-Player of the Game winners in Cubs loss
Monday, May 25 Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
Cubs extend losing streak to 9 games despite +5.0 Box-Toppers game score from starter Ben Brown
Cubs pitcher Ben Brown recorded Monday’s highest Box-Toppers game score (+5.0) among those who did not win Player of the Game honors.
Brown struck out seven over six innings, allowing one run, four hits and two walks, but the Cubs lost to the Pirates, 2-1, continuing their nine-game losing streak.
Player of the Game honors instead went to the Pirates’ top player, relief pitcher Wilber Dotel (3IP H 0R 0BB 4K W). who recorded a +6.0 game score.
Below is a further look at Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar, reviewing the day’s top pitchers, overlooked top performers and lowest Box-Toppers game scores.
Monday’s top pitching matchup—PHI at SD
⚾️ Jesús Luzardo, Phillies, 6.0 B-T points in 2026, 7th*
⚾️ Randy Vásquez, Padres, 6.4 B-T points in 2026, 6th*
*Rank among NL pitchers, 2026
Result—PHI 3, SD 0
✅ Luzardo won Player of the Game (6IP 4H 0R 2BB 6K W) with +6.0 B-T game score.
⛔️ Vásquez’s scheduled start was pushed to Tuesday.
▶️ Luzardo earns 1.0 B-T point, giving him 7.0 for 2026, rising to 6th among NL pitchers.
High scores, no points
Highest Box-Toppers game scores for the day among players who did not earn Player of the Game honors:
▪️+5.0—Ben Brown, Cubs (6IP 4H R 2BB 7K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. PIT.
Player of the Game—Wilber Dotel, Pirates (3IP H 0R 0BB 4K W) with +6.0 game score.
▪️+4.2—Jack Perkins, Athletics (4.2IP 3H 2R 0BB 7K ND)
Was not Player of the Game in loss vs. SEA.
Player of the Game—Luis Castillo, Mariners (4IP 2H 0R 2BB 6K ND) with +6.0 game score.
▪️+4.0—Luis Garcia Jr., Nationals (HR 2B 3-5 2R 4BI)
Was not Player of the Game in win vs. CLE
Player of the Game—Teammate Zack Littell (7IP 5H R 2BB 7K W) with +5.0 game score.
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores
Out of 364 total players Monday, 97 pitchers
-18.0—Aaron Civale, Athletics (4IP 9H 7R BB 2K L vs. SEA)
-16.0—Tanner Bibee, Guardians
-11.9—Nolan McLean, Mets
-9.9—Jesse Scholtens, Rays
Lowest Box-Toppers game scores by batters
Out of 267 total batters Monday
-5.0—Elly De La Cruz, Reds 0-5 4K
-5.0—Taylor Walls, Rays 0-5 3K
-5.0—Junior Caminero, Rays 0-5 2K
-5.0—Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks 0-5 2K
-5.0—George Springer, Blue Jays 0-5 K
About Box-Toppers Sidelights Sidebar
A review of the day’s top pitchers, overlooked performers, and lowest game scores. For the full list of Player of the Game winners, check today’s Daily Scorecard or visit Box-Toppers.com.
(Correction: The emailed version of Sunday’s Sidelights Sidebar listed the incorrect Player of the Game winner in the Orioles’ win over the Tigers. It has been corrected to Colton Cowser of the Orioles here.)
