Mixed-up game times maddening for Cubs' Maddon

The Cubs played an afternoon game Sunday (3:10 p.m. Chicago time) in Phoenix, came home and started against the Washington Nationals at 1:20 p.m. Monday.

Ideal game time it was not, according to Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

"I hope the players feel better than I do today," Maddon said. "It's an awkward schedule. Quite frankly, to play a day game two time zones away and come back with another one the next day, a negative time zone, in effect, because you're losing time, it's tough. It's not easy, but we're not going to make excuses.

"You get to the playoffs, this happens more often. When it does happen in the playoffs, you're just happy to be in the playoffs. You deal with it. It's not an easy schedule. This whole week we play at different times."

Cubs business management has said it needs 3:05 p.m. starts on Fridays to help the team with travel, as the Cubs are not allowed to play Friday night games. A later start would have fit that scenario Monday.

"I don't understand why Memorial Day has to be played during the day," Maddon said. "There's fireworks and stuff. There are certain things I don't understand.

"Just because certain things have been done a certain way doesn't mean it was right. It doesn't mean it always has to be done that way in the future. I'm the wrong guy to ask."

Taking one for the team:

Kris Bryant made a heads-up play in the bottom of the ninth inning. Leading off with the Cubs down 2-1, Bryant was ruled to have struck out on a foul tip. But he argued that he was hit by the pitch, and replay overturned the call. Umpires sent Bryant to first base.

The Cubs didn't score, but Bryant stood his ground.

"I knew it hit me; I felt it on my wrist," he said. "I usually don't say much, but that's an important situation."

Joe Maddon liked Bryant's awareness.

"From the side, I can't tell, but I'm going to believe him," the manager said. "He was very convincing. That's the good part of instant replay. When it works in your favor, you love it."

Wada workings:

Cubs starting pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada worked 5⅓ innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 run. After 2 starts, he has no decisions and a 2.70 ERA.

"The fastball wasn't as good as the last time (at San Diego last week), so I was more focused on location," Wada said through a translator.

Wada came out after getting Bryce Harper to pop up leading off the sixth. Justin Grimm came in and retired Ryan Zimmerman on a groundout, but Wilson Ramos homered to make it 2-1 and tag Grimm with the loss.