Game of Inches Slips Away, Cubs Lose Close One

Everything was looking great, John Lackey had surrendered only two hits through six innings and he seemed like he was in total control over his former team. That was until Matt Adams came up and hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. That made the score 3-3 in a game that felt like the Cubs had in the bag.

Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs and two strikes, Adam Warren served up a meatball to Randall Grichuk who deposited said meatball over the right center field wall. Cardinals win 4-3 (box score).

This game was disappointing on so many levels, I don’t even know where to begin. It was a game the Cubs really should’ve won but seemingly found a way to lose. This harkens me back to that Theo Epstein interview where he stated, “We know there is going to be a stretch, probably a long stretch this year, when winning even one game seems virtually impossible. That’s the nature of baseball.” Guy happens to know a thing or two, huh?

Stats that mattered

• John Lackey was cruising along until he wasn’t – 7IP, 3R, 4H, 1BB, 9K, 1HR
• Ben Zobrist continues to see the ball well – 3-for-4, 1R, 1BB
• Cubs team LOB – 10, 3-for-9 RISP
• Cardinals 0-1 RISP – a big reason it felt like the Cubs should have won this one

Bottom line

Let’s face it, this stretch really stinks but, as Theo so eloquently put it, that’s the nature of baseball. So, while it’s certainly not the end of the world, it’s still not fun and there’s a whole lot of Cubs fans that are going to be overjoyed when the Cubs go back to crushing their opponents. I’d love to add some clever quip here but, seriously, I’m just too mad too think right now.

Next up

Cubs take on the Cardinals tomorrow at 6:10 PM CDT. Jason Hammel will be on the mound for the Cubs. Grrrr.