Chicago Cubs Recap: Cubs get swept by Padres; Go 0-6 on road trip

It was much of the same for the Chicago Cubs against the Padres this afternoon. The defending World Champs get swept by the worst team in baseball; end a miserable 0-6 road trip.

The Chicago Cubs needed a good outing from Jake Arrieta, and that’s exactly what they got. Pitching much more like the Arrieta fans are use to, he allowed just one earned run in six innings, striking out seven and throwing 84 pitches. Unfortunately, he left with the game tied 1-1 and will get no decision. It was a very encouraging out from Arrieta, and hopefully, he starts to turn a corner.

The Cubs continued to look for a spark plug on offense but not much was found. Javier Baez hit an RBI infield single in the second to score give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead (again), but that was short-lived.  Arrieta allowed a home run to Ryan Schimpf in the bottom of the second and things stayed that way throughout much of the game.

The Padres took the lead in eighth on an fielder’s choice by Yangervis Solarte, giving them a 2-1 lead and that’s all they needed to complete a sweep of the defending World Champions.

The Cubs mustered just three hits in the game and their offense looked lifeless for the fifth time on this road trip.

The Cubs have arguably finished their worst stretch of baseball since 2014, going 0-6 on a road trip in which they came in flying high, having won seven of nine.

Arrieta was good

The best thing to come out of this game was Jake Arrieta. Arrieta needed a good start and he got it. He could have went more than six innings, but the Cubs had an opportunity to score with the pitcher’s spot up. Arrieta was pulled and Russell was unable to get the job done.  Hopefully, that is a turning corner for the Arrieta, but if the Cubs want to right the ship, they need him to pitch well.

Next: Jon Jay becoming a solid trade piece

What’s Next?

The Chicago Cubs (25-27) have an off day on Thursday before starting another 10 game homestand. The Cardinals come into town on Friday afternoon. John Lackey (4-5, 5.18 ERA) takes the mound for a 1:20pm first pitch.