Cubs losing streak extends to six games |
SAN DIEGO, CA – The Chicago Cubs will be more than happy to put the month of May and the West Coast in the rear view mirror.
San Diego broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth and the Cubs once again couldn’t muster much offense as the Padres swept Chicago 2-1 Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park. The Cubs went 0-6 on the trip to the West Coast after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Padres. The Cubs mustered just three hits in the loss. The six-game losing streak is a season-high, and Chicago falls to 25-27 with the loss. San Diego improves to 22-33. This is the Cubs’ first winless trip of at least six games since August 3- 8, 2012, also at the Dodgers (0-3) and Padres (0-3). The Cubs got on the board early. Anthony Rizzo was hit by Padre starter Luis Perdomo. With Ian Happ at the plate, Rizzo stole second, his fifth steal of the season. Rizzo advanced to third on Happ’s flyout to center. One out and a Wilson Contreras walk later, Javier Baez singled softly to third, scoring Rizzo for a 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last, as Arrieta gave up a 2-2 homer to Ryan Schimpf leading off the second. The homer was the 14th of the season for Schimpf. That was all Arrieta surrendered on the day, however. He went six innings, giving up just five hits and the one run while walking two and striking out seven. He threw just 84 pitches but was replaced by pinch-hitter Addison Russell in the seventh. Contreras was at third with two outs, but Russell flew out to center for the third out. The Padres scored the winning run against Carl Edwards in the eighth. Franchy Cordero tripled on a shot to right with one out, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon pulled the infield in to cut off the run at the plate. Yangervis Solarte hit a roller to second, but Ian Happ’s throw to the plate was high and Cordero scored the go-ahead run to make it 2-1. The Cubs finished the month of May with a record of 12-16. This marks Chicago’s first nonwinning month since going 12-14 last July, and its first May with a sub-.500 record since 2014 (11-16). Chicago this month has had three three-game winning streaks, but two skids of at least four games. Some of the Cubs’ younger stars also struggled during the month. Heading into Wednesday’s series finale, Kyle Schwarber’s .139 average this month was the second worst in baseball (75 or more plate appearances) and Addison Russell's .164 fifth worst. General manager Theo Epstein arrived in San Diego Tuesday to support his struggling club. The Cubs have a much-needed off day on Thursday and return to Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals that starts Friday. Right-hander John Lackey (4-5, 5.18) will face righty Lance Lynn (4-3, 2.93) on Friday. Saturday, it will be LHP Jon Lester (3-3, 3.86) vs. RHP Mike Leake (5-3, 2.24) and on Sunday RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.75) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (2-3, 3.99). The series is the start of a 10-game home stand for the Cubs . They face the Cardinals, the Marlins (three games starting Monday) and the Rockies (four games starting June 8) will follow at the Friendly Confines.
