Chicago Cubs’ pitching fails late in 11-3 loss to Milwaukee

After going ahead 3-0 in the first inning, the Chicago Cubs looked poised for a big day. Instead, their pitching struggled after the fifth inning, giving up six runs on their way to an 11-3 loss.

Chicago Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon might consider playing his regular starters tomorrow after the result of Saturday’s game.

The Cubs’ offense started hot, taking a 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers after the first inning. Kris Bryant hit an RBI triple and Chris Coghlan knocked in two with a homer run. As it turns out, that would be all the offense the Cubs would score Saturday.

Although the score suggests a Cubs blowout loss, Saturday realistically was not a blowout for the majority of the game. The Cubs held a 3-1 entering the sixth inning, with starting pitcher Jake Arrieta dominating on the mound.

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Like many of his starts recently, Arrieta dominated the game early before letting things slip away during one inning. Entering the sixth inning, he was seemingly on cruise control, allowing one run while throwing under 70 pitches. After the sixth, those numbers increased to four runs (all earned) and 102 total pitches thrown.

Despite giving up the lead, the Cubs were still in striking distance after the top half of the sixth concluded. Instead of a comeback, the bullpen imploded, giving up eight runs over the final two innings.

Growing Pains

Carl Edwards Jr. gave up a pair of home runs during the eighth inning. First, a two-run blast against Ryan Braun and eventually a solo shot against Domingo Santana. Although down 7-3, the Cubs have shown they are capable of coming back from a deficit in 2016.

Saturday’s top half of the ninth inning provided a deficit that left no realistic chance of a Cubs’ comeback victory. Spencer Patton gave up a grand slam to Chris Carter, one that banged off of the left field video board. With the grand slam, Saturday’s game saw the most runs given up by Cubs’s pitching at Wrigley Field this season.

With the loss, the Brewers improved their record to 67-82, while the Cubs “fell” to 94-54. Brewers’ starter Zach Davies improved his record to 11-7, while Arrieta fell to 17-7. Sunday’s game concludes not only this four-game series but the season series between the two teams.

Next: Miguel Montero making case for big role

Sunday’s matchup begins at 1:20 at Wrigley Field. Tune in locally to ABC-7 or on the radio on 670 AM The Score.