After a rough first 6 innings of baseball and a three-run homer from Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, the Chicago Cubs found their way back into the game seventh inning when infielder Javier Baez belted a two-run homer which cut the lead in half. Baez’s homer certainly generated momentum as the Chicago Cubs were able to tie the game in the ninth inning, however, the Cubs gave up a walk-off RBI single in the bottom half of the ninth to Tyler Saladino giving the White Sox a 5-4 win.
Cubs miss early inning opportunities
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant nearly had a go-ahead homer in the first inning however White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera was able to corral himself up in the air and rob the 2015 NL Rookie Of The Year of a homer. In the third inning, the Cubs had yet another chance; Javier Baez singled into the right field corner but would end up at second after an Adam Eaton fielding error.
White Sox pitcher Miguel Gonzalez would then strike out Dexter Fowler bringing Kris Bryant to the plate. Bryant would single but he ended up running a bit too far over towards second as the throw was cut off, Baez advanced safely to third but so Bryant in a rundown situation and decided to head home. Baez slid in without being tagged but he never touched the plate, he got up dance around but was eventually tagged out. If the Cubs scored on that near Bryant homer in the first and the Kris Bryant RBI single in the third the Cubs would’ve been in a lot better of a situation.
Arrieta struggles continue
Jake Arrieta started the 2016 season right where he left off in 2015, becoming one of the only pitchers to win his first 10 starts of the year. Though as of late the Cubs ace has seemed to have been struggling, since May 31 Arrieta has gone 3-7 in his last 10 starts. Arrieta however, would escape without being credited with the loss, Arrieta was pulled when the Cubs were trailing and the bullpen wound up taking accountability for the loss.
Looking ahead
The Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound tomorrow night as the Cubs look to even the series at one game apiece. In his last outing Hendricks threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings of baseball against the New York Mets and now has a 1.36 ERA at home, Hendricks also has only given up three earned runs in his last six starts.
Kyle Hendricks will be squaring off against the White Sox right-hander, James Shields. Despite losing his last start, Shield has started to look like himself as he is now 2-3 in his last five starts with 2.09 ERA. Against the Cubs, Shields has a 1-0 record with a 3.72 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs.