Cubs Score and Recap (4/14/21): Brewers 7, Cubs 0 – Cubs Burned by Burnes

Looking to secure a series win after a thrilling comeback victory on Tuesday night, Jake Arietta (2-0, 2.25 ERA) took the mound against Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes (0-1, 0.73 ERA) for Wednesday’s finale. Arrietta entered as the only Cubs pitcher with two wins, both coming against Pittsburgh. Burnes, who’s 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in eight games against Chicago, had been pitching extremely well this season but was tied for dead last in run support (0.5) among starters.

Unfortunately, Arrieta didn’t get off to the start his team was looking for, allowing an RBI single in the top of the 1st to Travis Shaw. Later in the inning, Omar Narvaez increased Milwaukee’s lead with a sacrifice fly and Shaw added on with a solo shot in the 3rd as the Cubs found themselves having to climb out of an early 3-0 hole. Arrieta left after five innings having given up three earned runs, four hits, one walk (of the intentional variety) to go with three strikeouts on 84 pitches.

Just as they did on Monday, the Brewers offense broke the game wide open in the 6th, this time against Shelby Miller and Justin Steele. The pair of recent additions allowed the first six batters of the inning to reach safely as Milwaukee built a 7-0 lead to put the game out of reach.

Rather than riding the momentum from the previous night, the Cubs ran into the brick wall that is Burnes. Not only were they shut out, they recorded a measly four hits while striking out 10 times and failing to draw a single base on balls. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Burnes was as good as advertised. He pitched six scoreless innings, giving up two hits, no walks while striking out 10 batters. The Cubs were completely overmatched. For good measure, the starter added a two-run single in the 6th against Steele.

Key Moment

The Cubs had runners on second and third with only one out and down 2-0 in the 2nd inning, but Burnes escaped with no damage by retiring David Bote and Austin Romine. Against a pitcher of his caliber, there’s very little room for error and this was an opportunity the Cubs needed to take advantage of. They never threatened after that.

Stats That Matter

• The Cubs have now allowed 13 runs in the 6th inning, most in the majors
• The 6th inning of games one and game three accounted for 10 of the 15 runs scored by Milwaukee
• The Cubs have 59 hits through their first 12 games, the 2nd lowest total in league history

Bottom Line

The offense continues to be nauseatingly bad. You can’t win if you can’t hit.

On Deck

The Cubs are off tomorrow before returning home on Friday for a three-game set against the Braves as old friend Drew Smyly (0-0, 5.73 ERA) toes the rubber for Atlanta in game one. The Cubs have yet to announce their starter. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.