Enhanced Box Score: Mariners 4, Cubs 1 – July 30, 2016
Yup. That’s the kind of loss that’s gonna bring out the angry in folks (folk who, for the most part, will forget yesterday’s win, will forget that the Cubs haven’t lost a series since the All-Star break, will forget the Cubs have the best record in baseball, etc.).
I’d get it today, though. The Cubs couldn’t do anything against Wade Miley, who has been terrible this year. But today, he was incredible, with all of his pitches working and silly good location. The Cubs didn’t get a hit until the 7th inning, and then they actually scored the game’s first run that inning, too, after a replay at home went their way. Of course, they then lost a replay at home immediately thereafter when Kris Bryant tried to steal home. Both plays looked like coin flips, even on replay.
That 1-0 lead didn’t last long enough, though, as the Cubs gave up three in the 8th, as Jake Arrieta walked the two leadoff batters after some very close calls didn’t go his way. Hector Rondon came in and got a couple outs, but then Joe Maddon went to Aroldis Chapman to try and get another four-out save. No dice, as Chapman gave up a double, and uncorked a wild one to score a third run. The Mariners added another run on a Cubs error in the 9th.
It was a shame how the 8th played out, because Arrieta pitched really well, and the Cubs had finally got that hit and lead run shortly before. I suspect people are going to question whether Maddon should have just stuck with Rondon, since that’s kind of the point of having him as the 8th inning guy. It’s a worthy discussion, but let’s also not act like Chapman’s gonna give up many two-out, two-run doubles like that.
Oh well. It was a crappy loss. The Cubs can still win the series tomorrow night.
In the meantime, I tip my cap.
