Cubs Fall 5 Games Back of Brewers With Latest Loss – NBC Chicago

Observations: Cubs fall 5 games back of Brewers with loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Cubs lost 2-1 to the Brewers Tuesday, their fifth straight loss, dropping to 42-38 this season.

Here are 10 observations from the game.

1. The Cubs made Brandon Woodruff work, getting him to throw 104 pitches in six innings, but he only allowed one earned run. In four starts against the Cubs this season, he’s allowed two earned runs in 25 innings.

2. The Cubs tallied four hits against Woodruff, two shy of their total output from the first three matchups against him this season. A Javy Báez triple and Patrick Wisdom double tied the game at 1 in the fourth.

3. If Christian Yelich’s bat is going to come alive, that’s bad news for the Cubs in the second half of the season. Yelich, who has had an uncharacteristic first half, hit an RBI double and later walked, eventually scoring the go-ahead run.

4. Zach Davies made his first career start against the Brewers, his former club (2015-19). Coming off his six no-hit innings against the Dodgers, Davies surrendered two runs on two hits in four innings. 

5. The fourth inning was particularly laborious for Davies. He threw 36 pitches in the frame, allowing an RBI single and two walks while hitting another batter. The second walk loaded the bases with two outs, but he struck out Woodruff to end the threat.

6. The Cubs had the tying run in scoring position in the final three innings. After a two-out rally loaded the bases in the seventh, Ian Happ struck out. With runners on first and second and one out in the eighth, Eric Sogard lined into an inning-ending double play.

With two on and one out in the ninth, Josh Hader retired Javy Báez and pinch hitter Jose Lobaton to close out the game.

7. Lobaton grounded out but fell awkwardly trying to avoid a collision with Hader, covering first base on the play. Lobaton landed on his right shoulder and a Cubs trainer assisted him off the field.

8. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo both did not play as they were out of the starting lineup due to injuries. Bryant is dealing with right side soreness, and Rizzo missed his second straight game with back tightness.

9. The Cubs bullpen, after a rough Monday night, pitched four scoreless, hit-less innings in the first game without key reliever Ryan Tepera, who hit the injured list with a calf strain.  

Adam Morgan tossed a scoreless eighth in his Cubs debut, after they called him up from Triple-A Iowa pregame.

10. The Cubs are 4-11 over their last 15 games, dropping to five games out of first in the division Tuesday. That’s tied for their biggest deficit since May 2, when they were 12-16.

On deck: The Cubs look to avoid the sweep in a Wednesday matinee. First pitch is 1:10 p.m. Jake Arrieta (5-8, 5.32 ERA) is the Cubs’ probable starter, and Milwaukee’s is TBD.

Click here to follow the Cubs Talk Podcast.