Cubs offense shutout again, fall 2-0 to Yankees

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

It was a little more of the same for the Chicago Cubs (4-10) in the nightcap of the doubleheader, failing to score again and dropping the second game 2-0 to the Yankees (9-6). Travis Wood (0-2) didn’t have his best outing of the season, but again the Cubs offense squandered what few opportunities it had and gave him no run support. The Yankees touched him up for 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings, but Wood kept his team in the game allowing only two runs while striking out two.

Michael Pineda (2-1) however continued the fine starting pitching for the Yankees, following the great start by Masahiro Tanaka in the first game with a solid one of his own. He allowed only four hits in his six innings. The Cubs were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, continuing the seasons unpleasant trend.

The Cubs moved runners to second and third in the fifth on a sacrifice bunt by Welington Castillo. Ryan Kalish was unable to put the ball in play, striking out, and Darwin Barney pooped out next to end the threat. With the great Mariano Rivera now retired, the Cubs hoped to rally in the 9th. Nate Schierholtz started the inning with a single, prompting a pitching change from Yanks skipper Joe Girardi.

Adam Warren entered the game and forced Starlin Castro to popout. Luis Valbuena coaxed a walk to move Schierholtz into scoring position. Kalish would get his third opportunity to break the shutout.

A wild pitch moved the tying run to second, but Kalish grounded slowly to Derek Jeter, who threw him out to complete the day/night shutout.

The Cubs have an off day tomorrow as they travel back home and prepare for a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds. Friday’s 1:20 CST game features probable starters Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 1.29) against Alfredo Simon (1-1, 1.20).

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