Chicago Cubs drop series to the Reds; First series loss since April

All good things must come to an end. The Chicago Cubs had won eight straight series entering the Cincinnati Reds matchup. The Reds took the final two games, ending the Cubs streak one short of tying the MLB record.

With the weather in Cincinnati, you would have thought the Chicago Cubs would feel right at home. The rain started to move in, and the Cubs are no stranger to playing in the rain–from start to finish. After getting to Luis Castillo in the first inning, the Cubs managed just two more hits the rest of the game. Castillo has become their ace, and before the rain delay forced him from the game, he was looking like it.

After a Kris Bryant walk, which extended his on-base streak to 25 games, Javier Baez doubled, putting runners on second and third. Willson Contreras followed with another double, and both runners scored making it 2-0, Cubs.

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For the Cubs’ Jose Quintana, this a game he’ll look back at and feel that it ‘got away.’ He was cruising along into the fifth before Jose Peraza hit a home run to the opposite field to cut it to a 2-1 deficit. Then the pitcher Castillo singled. Joey Votto then singled to put two on with two out.

This would be that spot that it ‘got away’ from Quintana, quite literally. A pitch in the dirt skipped past Contreras, allowing both runners to advance. No worries. Still two out. Focus on the hitter. Until the next pitch got away, as well, allowing Castillo to score and tie the game.

Eugenio Suarez followed with a single, and the Reds grabbed the lead as the heaviest rain was starting to fall.  If they were delayed, it wasn’t expected to last long. But long enough to force both starters from the game. Castillo came out to face Kyle Schwarber in the sixth inning before the game was delayed.

Tyler Chatwood came out after the delay to pitch two innings, allowing one run on five hits. Xavier Cedeno got an inning of work in. But the run Chatwood allowed didn’t make a difference as the Cubs offense had been shut down since the first inning.

The good news for the Cubs? They did get Victor Caratini back from the IL, as Taylor Davis was sent back down in a corresponding move. But the bad news–and maybe part of why they lost this series–is Anthony Rizzo was unable to play because of his stiff back. Rizzo hasn’t played since May 11, and the Cubs are playing a man short while he’s down. It’s unsure if he’ll be able to play in the Nationals opener, which makes me wonder if it wouldn’t have been best to put him on the 10-day IL.

The Chicago Cubs will head to play the Washington Nationals for a three-game set, with the final game being carried on ESPN for the third consecutive week. Cole Hamels (3-0, 3.08) will square off against Max Scherzer (2-4, 3.64) in the opener.