The Chicago Cubs’ losing streak reached nine games Wednesday with a 19-5 loss to the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field.
The Padres have won three straight in the series, which concludes Thursday afternoon with Matt Swarmer facing Joe Musgrove.
“Losing is not fun,” Ian Happ said. “It never is. And when you go through stretches like that, long innings, you try to keep everybody upbeat and positive. I feel that gets harder as the losses mount.”
Rookie Caleb Kilian was out of sync in his second start, and the bullpen collapsed after he was removed after allowing five runs in four innings. Keeping everyone in a positive frame of mind has been difficult when a team has been beaten down as badly as the Cubs this week.
“We’re working on that,” manager David Ross said. “I don’t have any magical answer. We haven’t been very good. I think we’ve got to pitch a little bit better than we’ve pitched the last couple nights.”
Ross once again called on first baseman Frank Schwindel to pitch, the third time this season and second time this week. Schwindel gave up three runs in the ninth.
“It’s crazy,” Happ said. “It’s kind of been an explosion (of position players pitching) the last couple years and this year. The more we can play where position don’t pitch, the better.”
Some fans enjoy watching it. But the more it happens, the less funny it seems.
“Yeah, it’s not (funny),” Happ said. “It’s not that fun to see anymore. But it’s a reality of keeping arms fresh. You can’t just go out there and blow through your bullpen every day and expect to be competitive the next day, especially night to day.”
Schwindel has served up four home runs in three innings, compiling an 18.00 ERA.
Here are some other ugly numbers to chew on.
8.29
The Cubs’ ERA over the nine-game losing streak. They’ve served up 21 home runs and allowed 111 hits over that span.
.352
The Cubs’ winning percentage since a loss to the New York Mets on June 14, 2021. Going into that game, the Cubs were 38-27 and tied for first place in the National League Central. They’re 56-103 since, including losing streaks of 11, 12 and nine games.
0-29
The Cubs are winless in all 29 games this season in which they’re trailed entering the seventh inning.
61
Runs allowed by Cubs pitchers (and first baseman Frank Schwindel) over the last five games since losing 8-0 to the Yankees on Saturday in New York. They have been outscored 84-26 during the skid.
6-11
The Cubs’ record on replay challenges. Not only are they losing on the field, they’re also very bad at challenging calls. Opposing teams have won seven and lost four against the Cubs.
11-23
The Cubs’ record at Wrigley Field. They’re 2-7-1 in home series, including a win in the opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
4.91
Cubs starters’ ERA. They’re also a combined 12-27. The 4.91 ERA is still better than in 2021, when the starters posted a 5.27 ERA, fourth worst in the majors.
.220
The Cubs’ average with runners in scoring position (122-for-554). They began Wednesday ranked 28th in the category, ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks (.216) and Pittsburgh Pirates (.201).
1
Fan who caught a Manny Machado home run Wednesday and didn’t bother to throw it back.
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