Cubs Hang Tough, Lose a Close One to Dbacks

It was one of those games that felt like the Cubs (39-16) would eventually break out, the way they have most of the season when starting slowly, but not today. Jake’s streak of 20 straight decisions comes to an end today as the Cubs drop this one 3-2 (Box Score). It was Jake’s first loss since July 25, 2015, when Cole Hamels tossed a no-hitter at Wrigley Field.

Jake Arrieta (9-1, 1.80 ERA) was a strike out machine, recording a season high 12 strikeouts in five innings pitched. It was his high pitch count that did him in, throwing 108 pitches in his shortened effort.

He threw 26 pitches in the first inning alone while striking out all three batters and walking just one, an unusually high amount when he faced only four batters. Again, in the second inning he struck out three men but threw 25 pitches, this time giving up two singles and a two-run double.

It didn’t get any easier in the fifth inning, Jake threw another 25 pitches giving up four singles that led to another Diamondbacks run. Jake stayed in to bat in the bottom of the fifth, narrowly missing a home run to center field which ended up driving in a run on the sacrifice fly.  That was it for Jake, who was replaced in the top of the sixth inning by Trevor Cahill. Definitely a feast or famine type of day for Jake.

The Cubs kept it close the rest of the way and Javier Baez certainly did his best to make it interesting with his solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Unfortunately, the Cubs weren’t able to get much going after that against a stingy Dbacks pitching effort. In fact, they couldn’t manage to get even one runner in scoring position after the Baez home run.

Stats that mattered

• Jake was a strike out machine but gave up a bunch of hits too – 5IP, 3R, 9H, 1BB, 12Ks
• Cahill, Grimm, Wood and Warren kept the Cubs in the game – 4IP, 0R, 1H, 4BB, 6Ks
• Baez’ home run was the offensive highlight of the day – 1-for-3, 1R, 1RBI on his HR

Bottom line

The Cubs bats were dumfounded today by a much lessor pitching staff. It can be frustrating to watch the Cubs lose games like these, ones they should clearly win. But baseball can be a strange sport sometimes. Although, the Cubs did win their 13th series of the year, so we can celebrate that.

Time now to move on to funky jumpsuit road trip.

@ARizzo44 untucked is way cooler! #comfypic.twitter.com/rKpDEt3KXJ

— David Ross (@D_Ross3) June 5, 2016

Next up

The Cubs travel to Philly to take on…the Phillies. Jon Lester will take the hill tomorrow at 6:05 PM CDT.