Chicago Cubs bullpen collapses as Red Sox win the series with 6-2 victory

The Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks continued the stretch of allowing first-inning runs, but it was a letdown from the bullpen that would be their downfall in the 6-2 loss.

The Chicago Cubs overcame two first-inning runs allowed by Kyle Hendricks, tying the game with runs in the fifth and seventh innings. But after the Cubs tied the game in the seventh, the Boston Red Sox loaded the bases in the eighth before eventually scoring four runs off the Cubs pen.

Hendricks (2-2, 4.18) gave up a bomb of a home run to Hanley Ramirez, continuing the trend of first-inning runs allowed by Cubs’ (13-11) starters. But he settled in from there as he allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out six in his six innings of work.

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Eduard Rodriguez (2-1, 2.70) was impressive for the Red Sox, allowing just a Kris Bryant solo home run in the fifth inning. The Red Sox (13-11) turned the ball over to Joe Kelley, but things didn’t go as well for him.

After walking two, Kelley buried a pitch in the dirt that got away from catcher Christian Vasquez. Jon Jay came all the way around from second trying to score but was called out. After a quick review, the play was overturned, and the Cubs had knotted the game at 2-2.

But the usually reliable Cubs bullpen was anything but in the eighth. Koji Uehara loaded the bases without retiring a single batter before he was removed from the game. That put the pressure on Pedro Strop, who struck out the first hitter and looked to have a chance to get out of it.

But the Cubs returned the favor with a wild pitch of their own, giving the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. The floodgates opened from there as the Sox would add three more, including some weak defense on a throw from Addison Russell that bounced in the dirt that Anthony Rizzo could handle, allowing two more to score.

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Craig Kimbrel came in for the ninth in a non-save situation and took care of the Cubs to give the Red Sox the series win.

The Cubs will open a series against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow at Wrigley as they return home.