CI Recap (5/6/17) – Cubs 6, Yankees 11: Brett Anderson Gives Up Five First Inning Runs, Cubs Unable to Rebound

The Cubs fell behind early tonight, a recurring theme that continues to plague this team, and once again they were unable to dig themselves out of that hole.

Today, it was Brett Anderson giving up five runs while recording only one out in the first inning before he got pulled with lower back tightness and replaced by Felix Pena. You may recall that Anderson couldn’t get out of the second inning in his previous start, giving up seven runs to the Phillies. That was the only game the Phillies won in that series.

As for Anderson, it looks like he may be making a trip to the DL. That will mean another roster move likely coming tomorrow.

#Cubs Maddon expects Anderson to go on DL

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) May 7, 2017

The Cubs’ bats put together a couple late rallies and were able to score six runs on seven hits, not a bad night offensively. The Yankees simply buried Cubs pitching tonight right from the start. The final score does not indicate how lopsided an affair the game really was. It was one of those tough nights that are bound to come in a long season.

Despite the dreary performance, there was a fun, bright spot in the top of the ninth. The newly resurgent Miguel Montero actually came into the game to pitch. He walked two batters — throwing a few pitches that were juuuust a bit outside — but didn’t allow any runs. He was the only Cubs pitcher to not allow a run in the game.

Stats that Matter

• Brett Anderson has given up 25 runs in his last four starts and that’s in just 11.1 innings pitched.
• Javy Baez went 2-4 with a double. He looked comfortable at the plate, and worked some good at bats tonight so that’s encouraging.
• The Cubs’ first four batters — Ben Zobrist, Kris Byrant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell — went a combined 2-for-19 with five strikeouts.

The Bottom Line

After a good series against the Phillies that saw them take three out of four games, the Cubs have gotten tripped up the last two games by the Yankees. On the verge of a four-game winning streak yesterday before that dreadful Gardner home run in the ninth inning, now the Cubs find themselves trying to avoid the sweep tomorrow night.

On Deck

Tomorrow night at 7:05 CST on ESPN, Jon Lester takes the mound against Luis Severino as the Cubs try to salvage a win in this series.