Well, the Cubs battled back to the very end from a five-run deficit – coming up just short – so, as far as losses go, that maybe wasn’t one of the worst of the year?
The Cubs gave up most of their damage in a single inning (the 4th), which featured two hits off of Jon Lester’s body/glove (one of which he should have fielded), a walk in front of the pitcher, a first career hit (and an RBI) for Chris Archer, a two-run homer that barely got into the basket, and a total of five runs. And all of that happened before an out was recorded in the inning.
The other run the Cubs gave up came after a stolen base and a bounced throw to second base, which really should have been stopped by one of the middle infielders. It was an early run in the game, but they all count. You never know when you’ll be looking back six innings later and thinking about what could have been.
Late in the game, the Cubs got a little something going multiple times – including a 9th inning where the first two batters reached ahead of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, and the Cubs ultimately got the tying run on base – but couldn’t quite come all the way back.
Like I said, no loss is a good loss. But that one doesn’t make me feel quite as sick as so many others have this year.
Still, I can’t help but wonder …