CI Recap (5/30/17) – Padres 6, Cubs 2: Someone Please Open This Glass Case of Emotion

The Cubs’ losing slide has now reached five games. I said after Monday’s game that it might have been the most frustrating loss of the year, but Tuesday might have been the most lifeless loss of the season.

Chicago actually got a break early in the game to take the lead after Jason Heyward doubled with two outs in the 2nd inning. Willson Contreras hit a grounder to third that took a wicked hop and whizzed by Cory Spangenberg for a double to score J-Hey.

Eddie Butler struggled again for the Cubs on the mound, allowing a two-run homer to catcher Austin Hedges that put San Diego up 2-1 in the bottom of the inning.

The Padres continued attacking the struggling Kyle Schwarber with high fastballs, but starter Dinelson Lamet left one of those fastballs a bit too low in the 5th inning. War Bear bashed the mistake deep to right to tie the game at 2-2.

San Diego went for the kill just a half-inning later, when back-to-back singles put runners on the corners for Hunter Renfroe. Once again Renfroe made the Cubs pay, doubling to left. Both runners scored to put the Pads ahead 4-2 and effectively end the game.

After a walk, Butler was removed for Brian Duensing, who allowed a double to Austin Hedges to score two more and make it 6-2. The Cubs went down with very little fight the next four innings and the Padres coasted to an easy 6-2 victory.

Stats That Matter

• Eddie Butler was not very good again Tuesday: 4.1 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 5 K, and 3 BB. As with every start he makes, you see the flashes of ability with Butler. The stuff is there, but the results aren’t. Might be time to give Mike Montgomery a start or two and let Butler work things out in AAA.
• Jason Heyward went 2-for-4 with a double on Tuesday and is the only offensive player showing consistent life recently. Maybe he can retool other players’ swings.

Bottom Line

The Cubs went on this trip in full Anchorman gear. Right now they resemble Ron Burgundy when he was wandering the streets of San Diego drinking warm milk. I still hope better days are ahead, but the last two games have been hard to watch.

On Deck

The Cubs look to salvage the final game of their disastrous road trip Wednesday afternoon in San Diego. Jake Arrieta goes against Luis Perdomo at 2:40 CT. The game airs on WGN and 670 the Score.