Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/5/21): Giants 4, Cubs 3 – Fake Rally Can’t Overcome Gausman

Despite an early home run that provided a 2-0 Cubs lead for the second straight night, the offense was otherwise anemic against Kevin Gausman as the Giants won for the third night in a row.

Patrick Wisdom provided the early blow as he continues his incendiary ways at the plate, putting the Cubs in the top of the 2nd with a bomb to straightaway center. Alas, that would be the only real fireworks the Cubs would shoot off all night, as Gausman continued his dominance this season.

Cubs starter Kohl Stewart was serviceable in his second start of the week, but was left in one or two batters too long. He began sputtering in the 4th and ended up giving up two additional runs on top of the Alex Dickerson solo shot he had already given up in the 3rd.

Dan Winkler gave up the Giants’ fourth run in the bottom of the 5th inning as Brandon Crawford doubled off the right field wall to score Evan Longoria.

The Cubs did the fake rally thing in the 9th, and when Crawford and Longoria collided on a routine ground ball to give the Cubs a serendipitous free out, it actually looked like this rally might result in something real. But despite a hit, two errors, and another botched double play, Jason Heyward chopped one to second to end the game with the Cubs still a run short. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Until a bizarre 9th inning rally that fell short, Wisdom provided the only offense against Gausman.

Key Moment

Crawford’s RBI double off the wall seemed big at the time, providing a superb Gausman an insurance run in the 5th inning.

Stats That Matter

• Patrick Wisdom is slashing .400/.438/.967 on the season; David Ross literally can’t take him out of the lineup.
• The Cubs bullpen again was on point, giving up just two hits and a lone run in 5 1/3 IP.
• The offense mustered just three hits and did not walk against Gausman and the Giants ‘pen. I can’t remember when the Cubs didn’t walk in a game.

Bottom Line

The San Francisco treat is only for the home team in this series, as the Cubs need to figure out a way to get a win tomorrow and limp out of the Bay Area with one win.

On Deck

The Cubs finish up their four game set tomorrow afternoon as Kyle Hendricks takes on Johnny Cueto in a matchup of excellent righthanders. Game time is 3:05pm CT and can be seen on Marquee or heard on 670 The Score.