Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs drop second straight, first time this season

Cubs last team in MLB to lose two straight

The Chicago Cubs were the last team in the majors to say they hadn’t lost two in a row. But a rough day by the bullpen (again) led to a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cubs’ rookies

collected his first extra-base hit and first RBI in the loss, but it was middle-relief that failed the Cubs again. After

and

had scuffled,

got his chance. The results weren’t much different, although a throwing error by

didn’t help him much. Kyle Hendrick pitched better, but lasted only 5 1/3 innings.

With Dexter Fowler out with a strained quad, out Tobey Johnson wondered how soon before we’d see Kris Bryant in the outfield. The answer to that was quick, as Bryant got the start in center field. With no experience, skipper Joe Maddon had enough trust in the rookie to handle the challenge. He did so admirably, and is likely to see more time in the outfield as the season progresses.

The MLB hit king Pete Rose will be allowed to participate in All-Star festivities this summer in Cincinnati, says commissioner Rob Manfred. Rose, who has been banned from baseball for betting on his team, has applied for reinstatement, but Manfred says they are still gathering information before he makes any decisions. Fox has hired Rose as a studio analyst as well.

These and other stories from around the league:

‘Bullpen blows lead as Cubs fall to Pirates 5-4’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs’ Kris Bryant will see outfield time’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Rose will be allowed to participate in All-Star game festivities’ – ESPN.com

‘White Sox Sale, Samardzija ejected in brawl with Royals’ – Southside Showdown

‘More to Bryant than just homers‘ – MLB.com

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