5/16/14: Cubs Can't Play Fundamental Baseball In Loss To Brewers

Chicago, IL- Playing baseball with the proper mechanics, proper judgments, and proper techniques usually contributes to a win on the diamond. However, the Cubs failed to use the skills mentioned, and that is a key reason why they lost today 4-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

It didn't take Milwaukee long to score in the game, as they got to Jeff Samardija in the top of the first inning. After Logan Schafer hit into a ground-out, Jean Segura gave the Brewers their first hit in the bottom of the first with a single. With two outs, Segura was able to reach second on a wild pitch by Samardzija. The first run came on the board with an RBI single by Johnathan Lucroy. On the play he was able to reach second on an error by Junior Lake. Not soon after, the Cubs committed another mistake with a throwing error by Starlin Castro, which allowed Lyle Overbay to reach first. On that play, Jonathan Lucroy came home to put the Brew Crew on top 2-0. Khris Davis hit a single after the error, but Mark Reynolds ended the inning with a strikeout. 

Trouble came for Kyle Lohse in the bottom of the first, but it didn't build up anything besides hype. With two outs, Lohse walked Rizzo, which lead up to a single by Starlin Castro. On the play, Rizzo advanced to third by an error on Mark Reynolds. However, Luis Valbuena couldn't capitalize, as he flied out to end the inning.

The second inning didn't change for Samardzija, as he faced a rough inning again. Elian Herreran lead off the inning with a double. Kyle Lohse wasn't able to get a bunt down, but that didn't matter as Logan Schafer took his base after Lohse's at-bat. With runners on first and second, Samardzija threw another wild pitch, which allowed the runners to get to third and second. Jean Segura was able to capitalize with a two-run single, as the Brewers took a 4-0 lead. Before Scooter Gennett walked, Segura was caught trying to steal second. Jonathan Lucory ended the inning on a line-out. 

In the bottom of the second, the Cubs decided they were going to cut the lead. With one out, Nate Schierholtz singled. After, Darwin Barney hit a ball into the seats, which trimmed the lead to 4-2. Unusual, Jeff Samardzija, the pitcher for the Cubs, hit a single after Barney's home run. However, the Cubs couldn't produce on that single, as Emilio Bonifacio grounded into a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Cubs put more pressure on the Brewers again. Junior Lake leadoff the inning with a solo home run, which gave the Brewers a one run lead. After the home run, it looked like the Cubs offense was going to come alive. Anthony Rizzo followed through with a single in the next at-bat. Castro popped up shortly after, but Valbuena moved Rizzo to third with a single of his own. The Cubs let down the fans once more, as the inning ended on a double-play by Wellington Castillo.

The game ended with another save going to Francisco Rodriguez, the Brewers closer. The Cubs were not able to at least tie the game up, and bring it into extras. The Cubs ended up losing on the day they celebrated Babe Ruth's Shot Called with a bobble head tribute.

Game Notes:

- Babe Ruth's daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, attended the game with her son today. Tom Stevens, Julia's son, sang the seventh inning stretch. 

- James Russell, Justin Grimm, and Jose Veras struck out seven batters in three innings combined. 

-The Brewers retired sixteen Cubs in a row heading into the bottom of the ninth during the game.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)