Chicago Cubs: Back-to-back jacks not enough; injuries nagging

Back-to-back home runs opened the Chicago Cubs’ scoring early, but a full-blown bullpen implosion cost the reigning champs a shot at a series win.

On Tuesday night, Anthony Rizzo needed a pair of pitches before smacking a leadoff home run. The next night, however, the Chicago Cubs first baseman took the first one he saw and deposited it into the seats for his 15th homer of the year.

Chicago dropped back to .500 with a tough loss Wednesday. After Rizzo teamed up with Ian Happ to lead things off with back-to-back homers in the top of the first, the wheels came off late. A big three-run homer in the eighth blew things wide open for the Mets, who took two of three from the North Siders.

Mike Montgomery was solid in his longest start of the year, tossing 88 pitches against the Mets. The bullpen, however, was anything but – struggling and eventually blowing the game.

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Pitching, in general, is a major concern for Joe Maddon‘s club. Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks both continue to battle injuries. Hendricks is going for an MRI this week and will likely miss his next start.

Arrieta has a cut on his hand. And the injuries don’t stop there. John Lackey has had issues recovering following starts all year and Ben Zobrist could be headed to the disabled list with a wrist injury. No matter how you cut it, things look bleak for the Cubs right now.

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What’s Next?

With an off-day Thursday, the Cubs are in action Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Righty Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.03 ERA) makes the start opposite right-hander Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.13 ERA). First pitch is 6:05 p.m. CT from PNC Park.