Yes, it’s true, Adbert Alzolay hasn’t been as sharp lately and on Friday night he blew his second straight save opportunity, leading a 3-2 Reds win. However, the Cubs lost the nightcap of their double header in Cincinnati well before the ninth inning.
The Reds had rookie righty Lyon Richardson on the mound against the Cubs on Friday, making his third start in the majors. His first two efforts weren’t good, allowing seven earned runs in 7.1 innings In the first inning, he walked Mike Tauchman, Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger to load the bases for Dansby Swanson.
With one out and the bases juiced, the Reds rookie once again fell behind Swanson and eventually got to a 3-2 count. Swanson fouled off the first 3-2 delivery and then stared at a fastball for strike three.
Sure, Richardson was having a difficult time locating his fastball in the opening frame, but you can’t be the guy who does most of his damage against fastballs and then take one right there in a crucial spot early in the game.
Seiya Suzuki followed and he also couldn’t come through, striking out swinging.
Richardson ended up walking five batters and thanks to his wild first inning, the young pitcher only lasted 4.2 innings, as his pitch count soared to 91 in the fifth inning.
The Cubs offense has been good at coming up with a clutch hit in the past few weeks even when the group hasn’t been hitting on all cylinders. That just wasn’t the case Friday night. In the ninth inning, Suzuki reached base with a leadoff double, but Jeimer Candelario struck out, Yan Gomes grounded out to the pitcher and Nick Madrigal hit a blooper to the second baseman.
Nick Martini tied the game with a solo homer off Alzolay, the first home run he’s allowed since Aug. 5, against the Atlanta Braves.
Alzolay gave up two more hits, including the game-winner with two outs.
Now, this certainly isn’t a time to panic and proclaim any longterm ramifications for the Cubs, it’s just a crappy feeling.
The Cubs have needed to rely on the bullpen a lot in the second half and for the most part the relievers have answered the call.
I do have to say, seeing Swanson struggle at the plate is slightly concerning. He returned from the injured list after the All-Star break and he was on fire at first, going 16-for-54, with 7 HR in 15 games following the heel injury. However, since then, the Cubs shortstop is 13-for-84, with 26 strikeouts.
I’m sure his heel is still an issue for Swanson and to his credit, his defense has still been great, but he just has not been able to contribute in the middle of the order when the Cubs have needed him the most lately.
Brutal.
