Chicago Cubs: Missed opportunities cost Cubs, skid hits four

The Chicago Cubs land in San Diego to battle the Padres, with Kyle Hendricks trying to continue his groove on the mound, and the offense looking for theirs.

In a Memorial Day matinee, the Chicago Cubs came in looking to snap a three-game skid entering play against the San Diego Padres.

Fresh off a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago hoped turn the page quickly heading into Monday’s matchup against the NL West bottom feeders. Kyle Hendricks (3-2, 3.25 ERA), a winner of two-straight, came into Monday’s matchup giving up no more than two earned runs in his last six outings.

During the month of May, Hendricks entered 2-1 with 2.19 ERA. He started out perfect through the first three innings. In the fourth, however, Hunter Renfroe hit the go-ahead grand slam putting the Pads ahead 4-2.

On the offensive

Jason Heyward came through with a bases-loaded single scoring the Cubs’ first two runs in the first inning off Jarred Cosart (0-1, 4.50 ERA).

Ben Zobrist, back in the lineup after missing the last two games, started off the game with a walk. He continues to give the Cubs valuable at-bats from the leadoff spot, as he went 0-for-1 with three walks.

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In the second, Addison Russell led off with a triple and the Cubs again loaded the bases but were unable to tack on any runs.

Cosart, on the ropes early, flirted with disaster most of the day, walking five but was able to escape jams. That would be the difference as the Cubs missed several opportunities to knock him out early.

Bases-loaded opportunities each of the first two innings, Chicago stranded the sacks loaded each time. In the seventh inning, they managed to load them up once again, before Heyward grounded into the inning-ending double play.

Tale of two Kyles

It was a tale of two Kyles on the day.

Breezing through the first three innings, bad breaks, whether defensively, or just perfectly placed balls by San Diego hitters in the fourth and fifth became the difference. As well as the fourth inning Padres grand slam.

Hendricks (4-3) lasted five innings, allowing five earned runs, struck out five and walked none.

The offense, stranding the bases loaded three times, didn’t help matters. The Chicago Cubs dropped their fourth straight, 5-2, and are back at .500 on the season.

Justin Grimm, back up from Iowa, pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Brian Duensing pitched a scoreless eighth.

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What’s next

Both teams continue the series Tuesday night at Petco Park.

Right-hander Eddie Butler (2-0, 1.93 ERA) opposes righty Dinelson Lamet. First pitch scheduled for 9:10 p.m. C.T.