Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/12/21): Indians 2, Cubs 1 (F/10) – Cubs Again Struggle with RISP, Fall in Extras

Zach Davies (2-2, 6.30 ERA) took the mound against Sam Hentges (1-0, 5.00 ERA) in the series finale in Cleveland, looking to build off his strong outing versus Pittsburgh on Friday when he pitched seven scoreless innings.

Joc Pederson put the Cubs on the board in the 6th with an RBI two-bagger, but the lead was short-lived as the Indians started the bottom of the frame with back-to-back doubles to tie the game at 1-1. That was all she wrote for Davies, who went 5.1 innings with one earned run on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

.@yungjoc650's 3rd hit of the day puts the #Cubs in front!#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/1IOemMvxWb

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 12, 2021

Both teams went cold at the plate, resulting in the game heading to extras where Ahmed Rosario walked it off for the Tribe in the bottom of the 10th. The Cubs would lose by a final of 2-1. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

An inability to produce at the plate with runners in scoring position resulted in today’s loss.

Key Moment

In the 9th inning, the Cubs had men on first and second with one out. Instead of pushing across the go-ahead run and turning it over to their closer, Javy Báez and Nick Martini ended the inning with two groundouts. This was a common theme for the visitors this afternoon.

Stats That Matter

• Nine of the last 10 games have been decided by one run
• Davies lowered his ERA on the road from 12.54 to 9.22.
• Pederson had three hits for the third time in five games and is 12 for his last 27 (.444) since coming off the IL.
• Willson Contreras was 4-for-5 for the Cubs’ first four-hit game of the season.
• The Cubs were 1-for-16 with RISP and left 19 men on base; in the two games, they went 2-for-27 with RISP and left 41 men on base.

Bottom Line

It appears the Cubs are heading towards another offensive slump. They need to dig in and figure out how to string together some hits with runners on base.

On Deck

The Cubs are off tomorrow and then arrive in Detroit on Friday to begin a three-game set. Neither team has announced their starters for game one of the series, but Jake Arrieta threw a bullpen Wednesday and is likely to be activated to start the opener. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.