Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/11/23): Giants 13, Cubs 3 – Joc Jams Old Team in Blowout Loss
The Cubs’ attempt to sweep the Giants on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park did not go well. Their starter did not go deep and San Francisco jumped all over a very shaky bullpen in an absolute rout that ensured a losing record on the road trip.
Former Cub Joc Pederson gave the Giants an early 2-0 lead when he homered off of Hayden Wesneski in the bottom of the 1st inning. A throwing error in the 2nd and a Yan Gomes infield single in the 3rd tied the game briefly.
Pederson hit another two-run shot against Wesneski in the bottom of the frame to put San Francisco ahead for good. The Cubs starter came out of the game in the 4th inning and the relief corps exploded yet again upon entering.
The Giants scored eight runs against five total relievers to turn the contest into an absolute laugher. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford made his first career pitching appearance to close out the 13-3 romp. (Box score)
Key Moment
Pederson reached base five times Sunday and his second home run that really got the scoring avalanche going.
Why the Cubs Lost
The bullpen did them in yet again and is just a huge liability at this point.
Stats That Matter
- Wesneski continues to get killed by lefty sluggers: 3+ IP, 5 R, 4 H, 4 K, and 1 BB.
- Nico Hoerner was the only Cubs player with two hits on Sunday.
- Brandon Hughes gave up three runs on as many hits and now has a 7.24 ERA.
Bottom Line
A 4-6 road trip is not great, but it’s definitely not a disaster. After the sweep in Anaheim, only going a game under .500 on the California sojourn is the best you could have reasonably hoped for. Chicago needs to bring up some young arms to shake up the bullpen. They might not be any better, but they certainly cannot be any worse than the current unit.
On Deck
The Cubs finally return home to Wrigley Field to play the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday at 7:05pm CT. Jameson Taillon takes the hill against Luis Ortiz in a broadcast available on Marquee and 670 The Score.
