The inconsistent roller coaster continues for the Cubs. Stay strapped in.
The Cubs’ bats could not come through in their big moment opportunities tonight, and, in stark contrast to last night, the Cubs managed to score only on Jake Arrieta’s homer and Addison Russell’s homer.
It was not an altogether poorly pitched game by the Cubs, even granting Arrieta’s early departure. He had good stuff working after the first inning (as he often does), but ran into trouble when he command left him mid-game (as it often does). Is that still the product of a cut on his thumb? I half hope it is, and I half hope it isn’t.
Justin Grimm gave up what proved to be the decisive homer to Andrew McCutchen, but I can’t be too mad on that one – Grimm has been lights out since coming back from AAA. He was gonna give up something at some point. It’s too bad it stung so much in this one.
In the end, the shortcomings of the offense remained the story in this one. And also the Pirates’ decision to stick with their best pitcher at the end.