Jason Hammel kept the Cubs in the game into the middle innings, but even four runs allowed in the game was probably going to sink the Cubs in this one with Clayton Kershaw going on the other side. That’s not a knock on Hammel or the bullpen – it’s just the reality of facing Kershaw.
Hammel was pretty solid through the first five innings, allowing just one run, but he gave up a single and two walks in the sixth (with a wild pitch and a Miguel Montero throwing error in between), and his night was done. Travis Wood couldn’t get out of the jam without giving up a couple more, and Hammel was charged with two more earned runs in the inning.
Anthony Rizzo hit a long homer, but that was it for the Cubs, who were shredded by an ace lefty for the second straight game.
And, well, yeah …