Cubs cap weak-hitting home stand with another shutout loss
Seven-game home stand at Wrigley Field, weather getting warmer, wind blowing out most of the time.
Even with nearly ideal conditions, the Cubs offense experienced a near-complete power outage. The Cubs capped their week in Wrigleyville with another dull, uneventful 3-0 loss to Atlanta.
During this seven-game run at home, the Cubs hit one home run and gave up 11, which is difficult to fathom. They went 2-5 against the Braves and Pirates, and one of those victories was the 1-0 pitching masterpiece by Shota Imanaga last Saturday.
“This home stand has been a struggle, for sure, unfortunately,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “The answer's just to come back tomorrow, have good at-bats and swing at the right pitches. That's how you have to move forward with it.”
Maybe the Cubs will bounce back on the road against St. Louis and Milwaukee. But this lull has been going on for a month. They've hit .209 as a team, worst in MLB, and have gone 10-15 since April 27. The Cubs have scored 2 runs or fewer in six of their last 10 games.
Blame belongs to everyone. Dansby Swanson went 4 for 10 in this series against his former team. Ian Happ showed signs of life, going 4 for 11 with 3 doubles. Seiya Suzuki had some weak swings in the first two games of the series, then collected 2 hits Thursday. Cody Bellinger went 0 for 12.
Over the past 15 days, Happ, Christopher Morel, Suzuki, Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch, Miguel Amaya and Yan Gomes are hitting below .200. Amaya did hit the lone home run of the week, but it happened while they trailed Pittsburgh 9-0.
“Not a whole lot to change,” Hoerner said. “I love where our lineup's at. It's nice to have everybody healthy and we'll be clicking soon.
“For most of us, the version of what's to come is usually a lot closer to what you've always been than what you've done most recently. I really believe in the group.”
This was supposed to be the week when the Cubs started clicking, because they had their full lineup intact for the first time since mid-April when Swanson came off the injured list and Hoerner returned from a tight hamstring.
Morel hit three balls with an exit velocity of 100-plus mph Thursday, but all were caught in the outfield. Morel is among the MLB leaders in hitting bad luck. According to StatCast, he ranks ninth in greatest difference between his expected batting average (.271) and actual batting average (.209). Amaya is also top 20 in the category.
“Just stay within yourself and attack the day,” said Busch, who went 1 for 14 on the home stand. “No matter if it goes good or bad, come back the same way, make adjustments here and there.”
Hoerner expressed confidence the Cubs won't let hitting frustration get the best of them.
“I appreciate how it's not very much of a roller-coaster ride emotionally from the group, both from the staff and the tone that Counsell sets, as well from as the leaders within this locker room,” Hoerner said. “I feel like there's a lot of belief, there's intent, there's attacking every day, but also not freaking out, and I really appreciate that.”
There was mostly good news on the pitching side. Ben Brown started and tossed four scoreless innings. Luke Little produced another strong outing.
Kyle Hendricks made his first relief outing since being moved to the bullpen. He gave up two runs in the eighth, then worked a scoreless ninth.
Take away Brown's rough debut in Texas, and his ERA this season is 1.91 over 37⅔ innings. Even while shifting from starter to relief, Brown's rookie season has gone extremely well and Thursday was a memorable first start at Wrigley Field.
“When you're walking out from the dugout before the game and you have the fans in left field pumping you up … it's a dream come true,” Brown said. “I definitely was soaking it in a little bit. It's an experience like no other. Starting a home game at Wrigley Field is special.”
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