The Chicago Cubs entered Tuesday's contest off a win on Sunday and a beneficial off day. Despite some good Florida sun, the Cubs couldn't continue their winning ways in Tampa Bay.
Tale of the Tape
The Cubs needed some life from their starting pitching in this series. On Tuesday, Jameson Taillon took the ball poised to give the Cubs a chance to win. He certainly did that, as did Zach Eflin. Both pitchers cruised through the first three innings without yielding a run.
In the top of the fourth, the Cubs got on the board. Christopher Morel's 13th moonshot of the season gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. It wasn't perfect, but it was something.
The Rays threatened in the bottom of the fourth, but Taillon escaped without damage.
In the top of the sixth, David Bote's single with men on first and second and two outs scored Morel from second. The RBI made it 2-0 entering the latter portion of the game.
Taillon was lifted after 6.0 innings of work. The big righty allowed four hits and one walk while fanning five in the quality start.
Despite leaving with a lead, Taillon's chance at a win was first threatened in the bottom of the seventh. With men on second and third, Hayden Wesneski was charged with a wild pitch. A slider blocked by Miguel Amaya nicely still kicked away, and when he couldn't find it, Richie Palacios scored to make it a one-run game.
Hayden Wesneski got through the eighth without allowing any runs. After scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth for the Cubs, the bottom of the ninth began with Hector Neris looking to collect the save and preserve a Cubs victory.
As is the theme this season, things didn't go according to plan.
After a Palacios double to lead off the ninth, followed up by a Ben Rortvedt walk and subsequent substitution entering Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero's single tied the game at two. Then, with two outs and two men on, Brandon Lowe got all of a Neris pitch and sent the Rays fans home happy. The Rays walked the Cubs off, 5-2, at Tropicana Field.
Is it Time to Point at the Front Office?
Think about it, and the Cubs On Tap boys discussed it on their latest episode. Is Jed Hoyer's seat getting hot? After a collapse like this, it might be time to say that it is.
Although the starting pitching was great again (yes, sounding like a broken record), the bullpen and bats failed to preserve a lead and win. Two runs is great, but the Rays are not the juggernaut they've been in years past. This is a team that the Cubs should score more than two runs against. Rather, the team doesn't do enough yet again and find themselves three games below .500.
Jed Hoyer did not do enough to improve the bullpen and did not do enough to improve the hitting. Everything was status quo. Now, it is coming back to bite the team. Hoyer preached patience on the radio, insisting the answer has to come from within. Well, it doesn't appear that is the case. The team continues to lose and Hoyer won't do anything about it until the deadline.
Ideally, Hoyer does improve this club at some point. However, at this pace, it could be too late by the time action occurs.
What's On Tap Next?
The Cubs and Rays run it back on Wednesday at 5:50 p.m. CDT on Marquee Sports Network. RHP Javier Assad throws for the Cubs and RHP Aaron Civale will take the bump for the Rays.
