Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/14/22): Padres 12, Cubs 5 – Cubs Bullpen Melts in Heat
The Cubs were hoping to snap a seven-game losing streak at a sultry Wrigley Field Tuesday night. Willson Contreras put his team in a great position to win, but alas the bullpen could not seal the deal and Chicago dropped another game.
Contreras lashed the first pitch he saw from Sean Manaea the other way for a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st. The Cubs’ backstop was not done there. He smashed a two-run blast onto Waveland in the 3rd.
Nico Hoerner tripled home a run in the 4th inning and Contreras’s third extra-base hit, a double, led to the Cubs’ fifth run the following frame. Kyle Hendricks returned from shoulder fatigue and pitched very well eventually leaving in the 6th with no runs allowed.
It was at that point Chicago’s bullpen imploded spectacularly to give away the 5-0 lead. The Padres put up four runs in the 6th inning thanks in part to a Luke Voit two-run homer. San Diego surged ahead with six more in the 7th with Voit clearing the bases with a double to give him 5 RBI.
That pretty much sealed the game and the Cubs went down to a 12-5 defeat. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Lost
The Cubs bullpen, which has been the best part of the team in 2022, is finally buckling under the pressure of its heavy workload.
Key Moment
Chris Martin, Scott Effross, and Mychal Givens combined to allow nine runs in just one inning of work.
Stats That Matter
- Hendricks was very good before tiring: 5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 6 K, and 0 BB.
- Contreras continues to be absolutely red-hot.
Bottom Line
The Cubs losing streak is up to eight and it shows no sign of stopping. Willson Contreras is the one bright spot at the moment and it would be nice if the Cubs considered resigning him. Soon.
On Deck
Game three of the series is Wednesday night 7:05pm CT. There is a bit of excitement as Caleb Killian makes his second major-league start on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.