Arrieta, Chicago Cubs denied consecutive wins streak, fall to Dodgers

Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs entered Tuesday night’s contest with history in their sights, but fell short as the LA Dodgers took advantage of a shaky bullpen performance from the Cubs.

It was a typical night for Jake Arrieta (9-0, 1.56).  He pitched a gem, going seven strong innings giving up only two hits on four walks and eight strikeouts.

Had the Cubs won tonight, they would have surpassed Kis Medlin’s record of 23 straight team wins with the Atlanta Braves.  It’s one of those obscure records that only fans and baseball nerds care about, but we’re in an age where oddly specific stats and records have become commonplace in sports discussions.

Cubs hitters could not get anything going tonight, as Dexter Fowler gave the Cubs their only hit of the ballgame with a third inning single.

Scott Kazmir (4-3, 4.38) looked great for the Dodgers in what could have been his best performance of the year.  He fanned seven batters and allowed only one hit in six innings pitched.

The bullpen imploded tonight, starting with Clayton Richard.  It was a questionable decision by Maddon to put Richard (0-1, 8.00) in with the game still scoreless.  Richard started the eighth inning by giving up three straight singles and a run.

Richard has struggled all season long, and up until tonight he had really only pitched when the Cubs had a commanding lead.  Even then he struggled to get batters out.  With his ERA now at 8.00, fans are beginning to wonder what his role will be going forward.

That said, Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill don’t deserve passes either.  Warren gave up two earned runs, and Cahill one.

There was one bright spot in this game for me.  Dodgers’ center fielder Joc Pederson made a catch at the wall in the sixth inning, and then proceeded to  taunt Cubs’ fans in the bleachers.  The next inning he promptly struck out swinging on a pitch in the dirt.  So that was nice.

Next: South Bend caps off win with 17 runs

This is one that Cubs’ fans will want to forget, and they’ll have a chance to get back on track tomorrow night.  You can catch the Cubs on ESPN again at 7:00 pm CT on Wednesday.