Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/8/23): Angels 3, Cubs 1 – Punchless Cubs Swept in SoCal

The Cubs’ tailspin continued Thursday night as the Angels completed a three-game sweep at Anaheim Stadium. The hitting remained almost non-existent, wasting another quality effort from their starting pitcher.

The road team was able to grab the lead in the top of the 2nd inning against Los Angeles starter Reid Detmers. Miguel Amaya singled and would come in to score on an RBI double off the bat of Trey Mancini.

That advantage would not even last a batter into the bottom half of the frame, however. Jo Adell, a former top prospect who was making a season debut, cranked a long solo home run to left in his first at-bat of the season against Drew Smyly. A Taylor Ward sacrifice fly later in the inning gave the Angels a lead they would never relinquish.

Smyly pitched well after that, allowing only an unearned run on a throwing error by catcher Yan Gomes on a double steal in the 6th inning. A 3-1 deficit proved insurmountable for the feeble Chicago offense and they went down to defeat by that score. (Box score)

Key Moment

Gomes came up to bat with two men on and one out in the top of the 6th and hit a hard line drive to the gap in right that Mike Trout was able to run down for an out. The Cubs would eventually come up empty, as has been the case far too many times.

Why the Cubs Lost

They are in one of those deep offensive funks that have been a feature of every Cubs team for the last five years. It makes it very difficult to win any games.

Stats That Matter

• Smyly did not have the sharpest stuff but battled nicely and gave his team a shot: 6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 H, 4 K, and 3 BB.
• Patrick Wisdom was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and his batting average is down to .197.
• Chicago did not get a single runner on base against the Angels’ bullpen Thursday.

Bottom Line

The recent trend of the Cubs seeming to completely shut down after the 6th inning is very troubling. When something goes wrong, it’s almost as if they fold up and conceded the game. It really adds to a sense that things are going down the drain very rapidly.

On Deck

The road trip concludes with three games in San Francisco starting Friday at 9:15pm CT. Marcus Stroman faces former Red Anthony DeSclafani with a broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.