Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/15/20): Brewers 6, Cubs 5 – New Extra Innings Rule Bites Cubs
The Cubs bullpen picked up plenty of slack after spot-starter Colin Rea went just 3.1 innings, but the Brewers were able to take full advantage of the new extra innings rule. The visitors plated a couple in the top of the 10th to win 6-5 on a matinee Saturday at Wrigley.
The Cubs probably figured the bullpen would decide the game today with Rea filling in, which ended up being the case. The ‘pen was outstanding until Jeremy Jeffress gave up a couple runs in his second inning of work in the 10th, though that came when starting with a runner on second base under the new extras rule. He deserved better, but the Cubs offense just didn’t do enough after putting up three runs early in the game.
Anthony Rizzo put the Cubs on the board early with a shot in the 1st that made it 1-0, then they extended the lead before the Brewers came back. While things were looking grim as the game wore on, Steven Souza Jr. made things interesting by launching his first home run of the year. It didn’t matter when the Cubs stranded Kris Bryant the next inning.
Jeffress, who pitched a scoreless 9th, gave up a double to Avisail Garcia that scored ghost runner Christian Yelich. Another single made 6-4 Brewers and all the Cubs were able to do with their frame was to plate automatic runner Almora. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Lost
After jumping up 3-0 in the 2nd inning, the Cubs couldn’t keep adding on against either Houser or the Milwaukee pen.
Key Moment
Failing to score Bryant when he led off the 9th with a flared single the other way was costly. Rizzo sent one to the warning track in center field and Javier Báez grounded into a fielder’s choice, then and Kyle Schwarber looked at a hittable pitch for strike three.
Stats That Matter
- Even including the big hit in the 9th, Bryant and Báez went 1-for-10 in the game and are hitting .196 and .205, respectively. The Cubs need more from those two.
- The Cubs got 5.2 scoreless from their bullpen in regulation after Rea was pulled with one out in the 4th. Unfortunately, that whole business of starting the runner on second probably messed up Jeffress in the 10th.
- Happ added two more doubles today and is currently slashing .309/.433/1.015 on the season.
- The Cubs drop back to back games for the first time all season.
Bottom Line
The Cubs took advantage of the new extra-innings rule once before this season, but they were snakebit by it in this one. They’ll need to win Sunday to settle for a split and avoid dropping their first series of the year.
On Deck
Sunday’s matinee will feature Josh Lindblom for the Brewers vs. Jon Lester for the Cubs. Gametime is 1:20pm CT and can be seen/heard on Marquee or 670 the Score
