Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/29/22): White Sox 5, Cubs 4 F/12 – Cubs Blow It Not Once, Not Twice, But Thrice

The Cubs entered Sunday with a chance for a sweep of the crosstown White Sox. An excellent starting pitching effort gave them a shot but they were unable to close it out in a hectic extra-innings affair.

Starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Marcus Stroman were outstanding on Sunday, allowing just four combined singles through six innings. The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 7th after an error from third baseman Jake Burger.

The Sox had a major chance in the bottom of the 7th inning by loading the bases with just one out. Stroman, however, buckled down with a strike out and a line out to escape the jam.

Closer David Robertson ran into his own issues in the bottom of the 9th, putting runners on the corners with one out. Unfortunately, the Cubs were not able to close it out and a wild pitch tied the game at one.

The Cubs went back ahead with two runs in the 10th inning thanks to a throwing error on a bunt and a single from Christopher Morel. Scott Effross came on in the bottom of the frame hoping to close out the victory, but the White Sox said no yet again. José Abreu singled home the tying run to send the game to the 11th tied 3-3.

Both teams traded runs in the 11th and moved to the 12th even at 4-4. The home team finally ended the madness when Burger singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th for a 5-4 White Sox win. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Cubs blew three separate save opportunities Sunday, the first time they’ve blown three saves in one game since the 1970’s.

Key Moment

The Cubs got a runner to third base with nobody out in the top of the 9th inning. They would fail to plate that key insurance run and blew the one-run advantage in the bottom half of the inning.

Stats That Matter

• Stroman was great, living on the ground ball and giving his team a chance to win: 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 K, and 2 BB.
• Patrick Wisdom singled, walked twice and also made a great leaping grab at third.
• White Sox star Tim Anderson appeared to suffer a significant groin injury and had to leave the game.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have struggled in one-run games so far in 2022 and a lot of it has come down to a failure to execute in key spots like the 9th Sunday. Marcus Stroman is starting to look like the great pitcher he has been the last few seasons.

On Deck

The Cubs begin a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers with a Memorial Day doubleheader at Wrigley. Game one starts at 12:05pm CT as Ethan Small takes on a yet to be named Chicago pitcher in a game airing on MLB Network (out of market only), Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.