Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/2/24): Reds 5, Cubs 2 – Cubs Lose Sixth Consecutive Series

The Cubs fell behind 4-0 for a second consecutive game on Sunday but there was no repeat of Saturday’s comeback effort and the Reds went on to win fairly easily. Chicago has now dropped six series in a row and there seems to be no end in sight to their slide.

Ben Brown was not as sharp as he was against the Brewers and ran into an issue in the top of the 2nd inning. Jonathan India hit a sacrifice fly but the big blow came later in the frame when TJ Friedl lined three-run homer just over the right field wall to put Cincinnati ahead by four. Another sac fly from Jake Fraley made it a 5-0 game after the 3rd.

The Cubs finally scratched out a run against Nick Lodolo in the 5th on a Cody Bellinger single but Christopher Morel hit a smash right at third base that turned into an inning-ending double play. Newly recalled David Bote added an RBI groundout in the 6th to cut the deficit to 5-2.

That was as close as Chicago would get, though, as the Reds bullpen closed out the 5-2 victory. (Box score)

Key Moment

Brown was one strike away from escaping the 2nd inning only down a single run, but his 0-2 curveball was a hanger that Friedl didn’t miss and the game was effectively over.

Why the Cubs Lost

The offense returned to its typical underwhelming performance and the starting pitcher was not good enough to pick up the slack this time.

Stats That Matter

• Brown really paid for his one mistake and was mostly fine outside of that: 5 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 6 K, and 1 BB.
• Bellinger had three hits including a double and just missed a home run.
• Nico Hoerner had a pair of singles and is starting to pick it up at the plate.

Bottom Line

The Cubs continue to show very little sign of breaking out of their current funk. The longer it lasts, the harder it is to avoid the conclusion that this team just isn’t very good. The lineup is now fully healthy and is still failing to produce as expected. The season is far from over but something is going to have to change soon or it will be.

On Deck

The Cubs are off on Monday before welcoming the putrid White Sox for two games beginning Tuesday at 7:05pm CT. Shōta Imanaga hopes to shake off his first bad performance against Chris Flexen in a matchup available on Marquee and 670 The Score.