NEWSLETTER
Despite a lineup befitting a split-squad day in March, the Cubs were actually in this one late! I mean, they didn’t win, but it’s clearly a moral victory, and it’s all just Spring Training anyway, so who cares.
OPE! I’m being told this was actually about as important as a late-June game can get. So that actually sucks!
Ryan Tepera gave up the lead on a Jackie Bradley Jr. double, which came immediately after a walk to Keston Hiura that came after a very late time granted by the home plate umpire on what could’ve been strike three (Tepera threw a nice cutter in the strike zone but the pitch was waved off). Ifs and buts and all that, so you never know. But I was pissed. So was Tepera. Still have to execute. He didn’t, and he gave up a couple more from there. Really rough outing.
Trevor Megill’s mop up thereafter didn’t help things, and the night became a total laugher (minus any actual laughing).
Cubs 8th inning runs allowed this season
Tonight: 10
Entering tonight: 18— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) June 29, 2021
Kyle Hendricks was probably a touch better than his line, with a number of softer-contact singles dropping in (and a dribbler double thanks to the shift). Then again, a little more contact in the air than you’d like to see, a couple walks, and only four Ks through his six innings of work. Plus the obligatory homer. Mixed bag, to be sure, and hence his first non-quality start in nine games.
The Cubs had so many gifted opportunities to do damage, collecting a season-high eight walks (I mean, when Jose Lobaton is walking twice, you know the Brewers were just flat out wild). But they made some outs on the bases, left the bases loaded twice, and just can’t seem to score if it isn’t a homer. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered given what happened late, though. Even if they’d had a lead heading into the 8th, maybe the implosion still takes place …
