Game Eighty-Four – Cubs 3, Reds 5
WP – Anthony DeSclafani (3-0) LP – Trevor Cahill (1-3, BS 1) Save – Tony Cingrani (10)
The Cubs took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning. Adam Warren gave up one run in five innings. Addison Russell and Miguel Montero drove in runs and Ben Zobrist homered. Two singles off Trevor Cahill put the tying runs on base. And Tucker Barnhart lifted a 2-2 pitch out to left. The ball carried into the basket for a three-run homer. The Reds were given another run in the eighth on a wild pitch from Carl Edwards Jr. And the Cubs dropped another game and lost a series to the Reds.
There’s no other way to put, the Cubs are reeling and limping into the All-Star break.
The Cubs bullpen issues were on full display once again Wednesday. Adam Warren did a very good in his first start of the season and turned the game over to Trevor Cahill. With the Cubs leading 3-1, Cahill pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Cahill retired Eugenio Suarez on a line drive to right field for the first out in the seventh. Brandon Phillips singled to center. Jose Peraza singled to right. Tucker Barnhart stepped in with runners on the corners and one down.
Trevor Cahill did not execute the 2-2 pitch to Barnhart. Cahill’s sinker didn’t sink. Tucker Barnhart got the ball up in the breeze and the ball carried into the basket in left center. Barnhart did not square it up. But on a hitter’s day at Wrigley, Cahill cannot miss his spot like he did and expect to get an out. Cahill got out of the seventh without the Reds tacking on to the lead. Cahill gave up another hit and the Reds ran on Miguel Montero for one of the four times on the afternoon.
Carl Edwards Jr. has an excellent arm and stuff. When he’s on, he is unhittable. When he’s off, like Wednesday, he will give up runs. Edwards Jr. walked Adam Duvall with one out in the eighth. A two-out single to center by Brandon Phillips put runners on the corners. Edwards Jr. appeared to get his spikes stuck on the mound and uncorked a wild pitch. The ball sailed behind Peraza and Duvall scampered in with an insurance run.
It’s been a while since the Cubs played a complete game and that was the case once again Wednesday. The offense did just enough to build a lead but did not add on and left the Reds in the game. The Cubs scored three runs on eight hits and two walks and finished the game 1-for-2 with RISP while leaving five men on base.
Addison Russell (1-for-4 with a double and a RBI) doubled in Tommy La Stella (1-for-4 with a run scored) in the second inning and tied the game at one. Miguel Montero (1-for-3 with a RBI) followed with a single that plated Russell. The Cubs added a run on a Ben Zobrist (1-for-3 with a home run and a walk) solo shot in the fifth. The Cubs could not string together any hits against the Reds’ pen and left the game up to the bullpen.
Anthony Rizzo (1-for-3 with a walk), Kris Bryant (1-for-4) and Willson Contreras (1-for-4) had hits in the loss.
Adam Warren ended up with an outstanding outing after a rough beginning to his afternoon. Making his first start of the season, Warren gave up a home run on the 10th pitch of the at-bat to Reds’ leadoff man Zack Cozart. Warren refocused and retired the next three batters he faced. Warren looked uncomfortable as it took him 19 pitches to complete the opening inning.
Warren continued to labor in the second inning. A bloop single from Brandon Phillips, a stolen base, a bloop single Jose Peraza and another stolen base put runners on second and third with one out in the second. Warren struck out Tucker Barnhart swinging and retired Anthony DeSclafani on a grounder to third to end the inning. Warren needed 48 pitches, 36 for strikes, to complete two innings. Something clicked in the second inning and he was really good from that point on.
Warren executed a game plan and retired the Reds in order the next three innings. Warren ended his day by setting down 11 in a row. Only positives can be taken out of the way he pitched Wednesday. Warren allowed one run (solo home run) on three hits. Warren did not issue a single free pass and struck out six on 93 pitches, 66 for strikes, in five innings.
With Wednesday’s loss, the Cubs dropped to 52-32 on the season.
• Trevor Cahill Photo – Brian Cassella
The Cubs have a makeup game with the Braves on Thursday night (7:05pm CDT) at the old ballyard. Jason Hammel is scheduled to face Lucas Harrell.