Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/1/19): Brewers 4, Cubs 0 – Cubs Shutout for Second Consecutive Game

The Cubs offense was dropped in liquid nitrogen and quickly snap-frozen. On Sunday, the scoreless streak reached 18 innings and the Cubs dropped their second game in-a-row to the Brewers.

Sunday’s game got off to an ominous start with Yu Darvish scratched due to forearm tightness. Tyler Chatwood subbed in for Darvish and, in the first inning, loaded the bases with one out. But Chatwood struck out two to escape the jam and keep things scoreless.

The Brewers went up 1-0 in the fourth inning, which would be all they needed to win. They scored off of an Orlando Arcia ground-out to second to drive in Gamel. The Cubs offense did nothing against Gio Gonzalez or the parade of six relievers that followed him.

Milwaukee broke things open in the 9th against Craig Kimbrel. Tyler Austin walked and Trent Grisham singled to put two on with two outs. And then Christian Yelich blasted homer 42 to dead center to make it 4-0. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The offense was shut out once again. Ugh. The Cubs went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Another decent pitching effort was wasted.

Key Moment

Kris Bryant singled and moved to second on a wild pitch with none out in the 7th. Junior Guerra struck out Victor Caratini and was replaced by lefty Alex Claudio. Claudio proceeded to strike out Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward to keep the score at 1-0.

Stats That Matter

• Chatwood was decent in his emergency start: 3.2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 7 K, and 4 BB. He certainly gave his team a chance to win.
• Javy Báez collided with Arcia at short on a stolen base and later had to leave the game. Safe to say they cannot afford him to miss much time.

Bottom Line

If the Cardinals win the second game of their doubleheader Sunday night, they will be four games up on the Cubs. Chicago’s lineup Sunday was just not very good. Albert Almora Jr., Addison Russell, and Jonathan Lucroy should not all be in the same starting nine. It’s feeling a lot like 2018.

On Deck

The Seattle Mariners come to Wrigley for a quick two-game series starting Monday at 1:20pm CT. Justus Sheffield takes on Kyle Hendricks in a game on WGN and 670 the Score.