Chicago Cubs News: Comeback effort comes up short, Magic No. still 1

The Chicago Cubs battled back several times against the St. Louis Cardinals, but in the end, they fell short.

It wasn’t the start the Chicago Cubs were looking for out of Jake Arrieta. But it was the kind of fight that Joe Maddon loves to see out of the offense. Arrieta–on a pitch limit as he returns from injury–lasted just three innings. He needed 35 to get through the first and threw just 67 overall as he took the loss. The Cubs would drive Cards’ starter Carlos Martinez from the game in the fifth, but Zach Duke kept the Cubs from catching up and tying the game.

In the eighth, the Cubs made a run again, putting up four runs to cut the lead to one. Jason Heyward hit a three-run home run, while Ben Zobrist followed with a solo home run to make it 8-7. But the Cubs couldn’t complete the comeback, and the magic number for the Cubs remains at one with the Brewers winning on Tuesday.

As the playoffs creep closer, last night we got a look at how Joe Maddon likes to use his outfielders in different situations. But he won’t have all of them at his disposal in the playoffs. Assuming the injury to Albert Almora isn’t too serious, who will he go with when the games matter most? It’s not an easy decision, so I’m glad I don’t have to make it. But our Cody Delmendo gives it his best guess.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cubs fail to seal the deal in St. Louis’ –  Cubbies Crib

‘Who will play the outfield in the postseason? – Cubbies Crib

‘Yanks gain on Hicks slick grab’ – MLB.com

‘Fan ejected from Yankees game for tipping pitches’ – ESPN

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