Chicago Cubs: Quintana struggles; Cubs drop make-up game

 Monday eliminated an off day for both the Cubs and the Braves, making up a game from that miserable series weather-wise, in early April. Jose Quintana took the mound vs. Julio Teheran.

It was a back and forth for the first few innings with the ball jumping off the bats. Ozzie Albies, who has destroyed Chicago Cubs pitching this season, led off the game with a home run. It would stay 1-0 until the bottom of the second when Albert Almora hit a go-ahead two-run home run, making the score 2-1 going into the third inning.

Tyler Flowers would hit a wind-aided home run in the third, giving the Braves a 3-2 lead. Then, like clockwork in the bottom of the inning, Kris Bryant would hit a go-ahead two-run home run, making the score 4-3.

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Braves going ahead

The score would stay that way until the fifth inning when the Braves would take the lead for good. After two hits to lead off the inning, Jose Bautista would hit a wind-aided three-run home run, making the score 6-4.

The Cubs would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth and scored a run, but the Braves were able to squeeze out of the jam and hang on for a final of 6-5.

Quintana struggles

Jose Quintana struggled against the Braves again. His first start against the Braves was in a rain-drenched, cold afternoon. That day he went just 2 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, seven runs while walking four.

The Cubs mustered a furious rally and won that day, 14-10. Today, Quintana pitched just 4.2 innings, giving up nine hits, six runs, three home runs, walking three, and striking out six. His ERA now sits at 5.23.

Next: The case for the Cubs trading Montgomery?

These two teams will turn around and play three games in Atlanta, starting tomorrow. Yu Darvish returns from the disabled list to make a start against Mike Foltynewicz. The other expected pitching match-ups will be Tyler Chatwood vs. Brandon McCarthy on Wednesday, while Jon Lester opposes rookie Mike Soroka on Thursday. All three games in the series start at 6:35.