Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/22/2019): Giants 5, Cubs 4 — Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Even though the game is now over, it’s still taking me some time to process the fact that the Cubs really did just lose this game to the San Francisco Giants. Up 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning with the Cubs cruising, it was hard to not start tallying this one up in the win column with Pedro Strop and Craig Kimbrel ready to lock things down for the Cubs in the last two innings. Much to our dismay, Strop coughed up three runs in the 8th and the Cubs couldn’t do anything with their last opportunity in the top of the 9th, ultimately falling 5-4 to start the road trip on the wrong foot.

Things started off really well for the Cubs in the city by the bay, with Robel Garcia and Kyle Schwarber taking turns bombing away to right field in back to back innings (2nd and 3rd) early in the ballgame. Each swing produced a solo shot, giving the Cubs an early 2-0 advantage. Albert Almora tacked on another run with an RBI single that he fisted to right field, barely scoring Anthony Rizzo, and the Cubs were up 3-0 midway through the 4th inning.

The Giants got on the board in the bottom of the 4th as Kevin Pillar grounded into a double play that produced a run, scoring Steven Vogt and making the score 3-1. In the bottom of the 5th, the Giants pulled to within one run at 3-2 when Mike Yastrzemski pulled one into right-center scoring Joe Panik.

Things stagnated there until the top of the 8th when Rizzo doubled the opposite way into the left-center gap, scoring Kris Bryant easily from second base. An insurance run against a light-hitting ballclub made things feel a little bit more comfortable with the lead 4-2 Cubs. Boy, was that a foolhardy feeling.

In the bottom of the 8th, Strop came in and proceeded to give up doubles to Pablo Sandoval, Austin Slater, and Joe Panik, along with a Brandon Crawford single sandwiched in between. This gave the Giants three quick runs and a 5-4 lead with little time for the Cubs to mount much of a counterattack in the top of the 9th. After two quick outs, Victor Caratini walked and Addison Russell singled, but Schwarber popped out in frustrating fashion to short, and the Cubs were left with a loss in a game they should have won. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Pedro Strop couldn’t seem to get anyone out in the bottom of the 8th inning, giving up four hits, three runs, and the game.

Key Moment

Joe Panik slapped a ball the other way down the third base line for a game winning RBI double in the bottom of the 8th inning off Strop.

Stats that Matter

• Robel Garcia now has four home runs on the season, to go along with two doubles and two triples. 8 of his 10 hits since being called up to Chicago have been for extra bases, and his slugging percentage is .800. Oh, and Garcia had the only splash down in the water tonight as kayakers fought over his 454 foot shot out of the stadium.
• Schwarber continued his solo home run spree, smacking his 22nd of the year 392 feet to right.
• Rizzo hit his 22nd double of the season to put the Cubs up 4-2 in the top of the 8th inning. He now has 69 RBI on the season.
• Alec Mills gave up 2 runs in 4.1 IP tonight in a decent performance in his second start on the mound this season. Kyle Ryan, Brad Brach, and Steve Cishek held the Giants to no runs in 2.2 IP. Unfortunately, Strop gave up 3 runs in the 8th inning alone.

Bottom Line

Not a great start to the road trip, especially given the Cubs’ woes away from Wrigley this year. While this one really stings since the Cubs were firmly in command of the game most of the night, they’ll have to bounce back tomorrow night against one of the toughest lefties in the game in Madison Bumgarner, fresh off a complete game victory in his last outing.

On Deck

The Cubs take on the Giants in the second game of the three game set, another late start in San Francisco. Yu Darvish will go for the Cubs against left-hander Madison Bumgarner for the Giants. Game starts at 8:45 CT and will be televised on ABC-7 and brought to you on the airwaves via 670 The Score.