Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/19/22): Braves 6, Cubs 0 – Braves Blank Cubs to Avoid Sweep

The Cubs were hoping to complete a highly improbable three-game sweep of the Braves on Sunday. Atlanta was not going to allow it and dominated in a shut out win.

Kyle Hendricks ran into immediate problems in the 1st inning when catcher Travis d’Arnaud launched a three-run home run onto Waveland Avenue. Ian Anderson kept the Cubs completely off-balance the entire afternoon.

Hendricks made it through the next three innings in good shape before unraveling in the 5th. Michael Harris homered and two run-scoring doubles put Atlanta ahead 6-0.

That was basically it for Chicago as they never really threatened a come back. The Braves eventually closed out the 6-0 victory. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Anderson completely shut down the Cubs hitters on Sunday. They did not even get an extra base hit against him.

Key Moment

The 1st inning home run put the Cubs in a hole they could not get back out of and the game was basically over from there.

Stats That Matter

• Hendricks did pick up some strikeouts but it was another overall rough outing for him: 4.1 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 6 K, and 1 BB.
• Ian Happ had two hits and a walk as the lone bright spot for the Cubs offense.

Bottom Line

The odds of Chicago sweeping the defending champion Braves were pretty long so Sunday’s outcome isn’t much of a shock. It’s becoming clear that Kyle Hendricks just isn’t the pitcher he once was. He could always get it back at some point but the Cubs cannot count on him being a top of the rotation starter ever again.

On Deck

The Cubs head to Pittsburgh for four games with the Pirates starting Monday at 6:05pm CT. Caleb Kilian takes on JT Brubaker in a game available on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.