Chicago Cubs News: Once again, Cubs offense stalls after blowout win

The Chicago Cubs offense couldn’t find the big hit they needed. And it once again came just a game after scoring 15 runs against the Reds. The Cubs had their opportunities but couldn’t cash in on them.

It’s getting to be a little bit frustrating to watch the Chicago Cubs score 15 runs one night, only to manage one the next game. The Cincinnati Reds Luis Castillo is an up-and-comer with talent. But the biggest thing was it was the first time the Cubs had ever faced him. Advantage Reds. Castillo went six innings, allowing just two hits as he outdueled Kyle Hendricks who pitched a solid game of his own. The Cubs scored once in the ninth on a Ben Zobrist single but left the bases loaded as pinch-hitter Alex Avila took a called third strike to end the game.

One of the moves that many questioned was putting Victor Caratini behind Anthony Rizzo in the lineup. With Joe Maddon trying to go lefty/righty in the lineup, it was an odd move. Even more so with Jason Heyward in the lineup. Caratini left five men on base, while the veteran Heyward could have been up in that situation. It was a strange move by Maddon who continues to shift the lineup around, even more so with injuries to Addison Russell and Willson Contreras.

Brett Anderson‘s stop in Chicago wasn’t a pleasant one that he’ll look back on. After being released, some wondered if anyone would give him another chance with all his injury issues. Well, wonder no more. The Blue Jays have signed Anderson to a minor-league deal that should give them at least some depth down the stretch. At the time, it seemed like a savvy signing by the Cubs as much of his deal was incentive based. But there’s no mistaking that this ended up a bad deal for the Cubs.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Hendricks strong start wasted in loss’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Should Maddon have batted Rizzo behind Caratini?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Anderson signs with the Jays’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Russell’s foot could be worse than once thought’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Stanton continues torrid HR tear’ – MLB.com

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