Even a great start turns sour for hard-luck Cubs
Six days ago, the Cubs weren't exactly on top of the world.
But they were on top of the NL Central and had just thrown the franchise's first combined no-hitter against the Dodgers.
Six days later, they're riding a six-game losing streak and sit 6 games behind Milwaukee in the standings.
Wednesday's loss was particularly troubling. The Brewers spotted the Cubs 7 runs in the top of the first inning, then finished the game on a 15-0 run, completing the three-game sweep.
"Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong for us lately," said losing pitcher Jake Arrieta, who left the game in the second inning. "It's been rough. I had an opportunity to end that. We jumped out to a 7-run lead and just performed poorly."
This 15-7 loss wasn't remotely competitive, but if there was a turning point, it happened in the second inning. Arrieta had a chance to retire the side with the lead still 7-3 when Milwaukee's Tyrone Taylor hit a tapper to the mound.
But Arrieta's throw was off-target. First baseman Patrick Wisdom had to cross over the base, missed the ball, then collided with Taylor and stayed on the ground while two runners circled the bases to make it 7-5.
It defied all logic, but for the second time in roughly 16 hours, a Cubs player was knocked out by a collision at first base. On Wednesday, it was Wisdom, who singled twice in the 7-run first inning. After the game, Cubs manager David Ross said Wisdom did not have a concussion. During the game, the team's injury report said Wisdom was suffering from an eye contusion and stiff neck.
"He got hit pretty hard," Ross said. "We'll see where he's at. We've got an off-day for hopefully him to regroup."
On the final play of Tuesday's 2-1 loss, catcher Jose Lobaton tripped over Brewers pitcher Josh Hader at first base, landed hard on his right shoulder and was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
With Anthony Rizzo (back) and Kris Bryant (side), still unavailable. Lobaton's replacement, Taylor Gushue made his major-league debut by playing first base the rest of the game.
As the Cubs hit the halfway point of their season, this game played out like a tragic opera, emphasizing all the low notes. Too many injuries, too much reliance on replacement-level players, and a starting rotation that has completely worn out the once-dominant bullpen.
Arrieta left Wednesday's game at the same time as Wisdom. The Cubs still led 7-5, but there was no chance the relievers were going to hold the lead for seven innings.
By the end of the fourth, the Brewers had piled up 14 runs.
"The walks," Ross said when asked where it all went wrong. "Hitting's hard. You've got to pound the zone, you've got to attack hitters. They're waiting for a reason to give up when you give up 7 in the first. Can't put guys on base.
"Definitely an emotional roller coaster during that game. Not our best today."
If there's any good news, it's that the Cubs will probably get Nico Hoerner back from a hamstring injury Friday when they open a series at Cincinnati. Whether Wisdom, Bryant or Rizzo are in the lineup remains to be seen.
As for the starting rotation, the short outings continue to be a problem, but the Cubs have been competitive more often than not. Ross was asked after the game if Arrieta could lose his spot in the rotation.
"We're going to reset this off-day and go from there," Ross said. "I don't know who we would replace him with."
Well, in a couple of weeks, Trevor Williams should be ready to return from an appendectomy. He'll make his second rehab start for Iowa in the next few days. Otherwise, the likely replacement would be Kohl Stewart or Cory Abbott, both currently with Iowa.
For now, the only answer is to play better and count on getting better results with a healthier lineup.
"I don't think this is on one person, one guy," Ross said. "Some guys have bad starts. I mean, Adbert (Alzolay) had one the other day. I think we all have to be better.
"I've got to do a better job, the coaching staff, the players, all the way down to the trainers. We've all got to continue to lift each other up, assess where we can help out and try to be better."
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