Chicago Cubs blanked by Indians in series opener

Cubs held to four hits in loss

On the day, the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks invaded Wrigley Field to continue their celebration, Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs suffered a 6-0 shutout loss against the Cleveland Indians.

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Cleveland jumped all over Arrieta and recorded their first big hit of the ballgame in the top half of the third when Carlos Santana crushed a three-run bomb to right-center field. Jake led off the inning by striking out opposing pitcher, Trevor Bauer, before giving up walks to both Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley.

Rookie second and third baseman, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant recorded the Cubs first two hits of the evening during the home half of the third. Addison singled on a ground ball to center fielder, Michael Bourn, who was later ejected from the game and had to be escorted from the field by his bench coach.

Shortly after Dexter Fowler walked and Anthony Rizzo popped out to shortstop Francisco Lindor, Bryant singled to Kipnis to load up the bases, setting things up catcher Miguel Montero. Montero had himself back-to-back days with three-run homers just recently but fell victim to strikeouts to retire the side.

Arrieta (6-5, 3.40 ERA) only made it through five innings, surrendering four earned runs on three hits but issued six walks and recorded six strikeouts prior to handing things over to Edwin Jackson.

Jackson gave up an earned run in the top of the seventh to Brantley, who picked up an RBI on a double to right field which made it 5-0. Santana later added to Cleveland’s lead in the ninth with a huge RBI double to left field with Zac Rosscup on the mound, extending the lead to 6-0.

Bauer (6-3, 3.22 ERA) pitched seven scoreless innings, holding the Cubs to only four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. His bullpen, on the other hand, finished the rest of the game without giving up a hit.

Recently called up Kyle Schwarber made his big league debut in a pinch-hit appearance for Montero. Schwarber was called out on strikes for the first out in the ninth inning.

Both clubs will travel to Cleveland to continue their interleague series as Tsuyoshi Wada (0-1, 4.84 ERA) squares off against Shaun Marcum (3-1, 4.09 ERA) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. central time.

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