Chicago Cubs Suffer Another Loss in Dismal May
The Chicago Cubs ended their dismal month of May with a 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. The game concluded with a controversial send in the ninth inning, as the potential tying run was cut off at home plate. The loss dropped the struggling Cubs to two games under .500 for the first time since the beginning of the season.
The ninth inning started with the Cubs down two runs. Manager Craig Counsell made the decision to send Nick Madrigal up to bat instead of Patrick Wisdom, believing Madrigal had a better chance against pitcher Alexis Díaz. Madrigal nearly got hit by a pitch but was ruled a foul ball after a review. He eventually reached first base on a fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners with one out.
Seiya Suzuki hit a ball into left field that easily scored one run, but third-base coach Willie Harris made the questionable decision to send Madrigal home. The Reds’ cutoff man, Elly De La Cruz, intercepted the throw and fired it to home plate, getting Madrigal out with room to spare. Cody Bellinger flew out to end the game on the next pitch. Despite Harris’ mistake, Counsell defended his third-base coach’s aggressiveness throughout the season.
Harris took responsibility for the failed send, admitting that he should have been less aggressive given the situation. He acknowledged that mistakes happen and expressed hope that the team would pick him up in upcoming games.
In addition to the controversial send, there were other factors contributing to the Cubs’ loss. Pitcher Drew Smyly gave up a two-run home run in the seventh inning, giving the Reds a lead. Héctor Neris allowed another run in the ninth inning, extending the Reds’ lead.
There was also an odd play in the fourth inning when Jonathan India made an impressive play, throwing out Dansby Swanson at third base instead of going for the speedy Pete Crow-Armstrong. Harris took the blame for the play, admitting that it was a tricky situation.
Despite these mistakes, the Cubs’ aggressiveness on the bases is a necessary aspect of their gameplay. The team leads the league in outs on the bases, with 27. While the offensive struggles of the Cubs may contribute to this, Counsell believes that being aggressive is essential for scoring runs.
However, with the Cubs’ shaky bullpen and inconsistent offense, they cannot afford to give opponents extra outs on the bases. The team is currently two games under .500 but has a critical stretch of games against weaker opponents ahead. This period will be crucial in determining whether the Cubs can bounce back or fall further into mediocrity.
The Cubs finished May with a 10-18 record, their worst month since the same time last year. Despite the poor performance, players like Swanson remain optimistic that they can turn things around in June.
While this loss adds to the Cubs’ struggles, it highlights the need for improvement in key areas of their game. With adjustments and a more cautious approach on the bases, the team has the potential to regain their footing and compete against weaker opponents in the coming weeks.