Cubs Split Weekend with Pirates, Take Series Despite Bullpen Woes

In the bottom of the fourth, the Pirates smacked their third home run off of Justin Steele. Michael A. Taylor hit a two-run shot to make it a 6-1 contest. 

Then, Paul Skenes was relieved from the game. 

The Cubs drove up Skenes' pitch count, driving him from the game after collecting a few hits to begin the fifth. The Cubs loaded the bases via hits from Mike Tauchman and Seiya Suzuki. Ian Happy was hit by a pitch to fully load them. 

Then, the Cubs proceeded to walk four consecutive times to walk in runs, making it a one-run game. Finally, Tauchman's infield single as the heavens opened up tied the game at 6-6. 

The game was under rain delay for 2:20 before resuming. With the bases still loaded, the Cubs walked two more times courtesy of Suzuki and Cody Bellinger to give the Cubs an 8-6 lead. 

Unfortunately, the Cubs bullpen struck. Keegan Thompson gave up a three-run homer to Yasmani Grandal in the bottom of the fifth and Richard Lovelady allowed a solo shot to Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the sixth. The Pirates once again led, this time 10-8. 

The Cubs rallied again. Tauchman's sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth made it a one-run game. However, with Pete Crow-Armstrong on third, Bellinger lined out to end the game and the Cubs lost 10-9. 

So close, yet so far. 

Sunday Scaries

The Cubs needed to rebound on Mother's Day to capture a series win. The Cubs started things off with a bang as Christopher Morel hit a two-run shot in the top of the first to give the Cubbies an early lead. 

The Pirates got one back in the bottom of the fourth. Oneil Cruz hit his seventh home run of the season to cut the Cubs' lead in half. 

Kyle Hendricks was activated to start Sunday's game, and looked rather strong in his return to the hill. Although his walk numbers were high (four), Hendricks only allowed two hits and the one run over 5.0 innings while striking out five. 

Then, the Cubs bullpen struck again in the sixth. A Connor Joe double, followed by a Jake Suwinski single put runners in position for the Pirates to threaten. Lovelady was relieved after 0.1 innings. Colton Brewer came on to clean up the mess, but allowed a sacrifice fly to Jared Triolo to tie the game. 

Although the Pirates had bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs somehow managed to escape the jam, sending the game to extra innings. 

In the top of the 10th, the Cubs pounced. Cody Bellinger drove in ghost runner Seiya Suzuki to take the lead. Unfortunately, Bellinger was thrown out trying to take second.

Bellinger's out ended up costing the Cubs a run. After Miles Mastrobuoni was retired, Patrick Wisdom hit his second home run of the season to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead. 

The Cubs loaded the bases, but failed to do a lot of damage. However, a passed ball scored Tauchman from third to give the Cubs a 5-2 advantage. 

Adbert Alzolay came on for the bottom of the tenth. Unfortunately, Joe led off the inning with a two-run home run, making it a 5-4 game. 

Although Alzolay got hit quickly, he managed to settle in and record the final out. The Cubs walked away with a 5-4 win and a series win thanks to Alzolay's fourth save of the season. 

Bullpen is a Concern

The Cubs' bullpen is a major concern. Outside of Mark Leiter Jr., just about every other bullpen arm has their inconsistencies. Keegan Thompson has regressed after a hot start, Richard Lovelady is a liability, and Hector Neris loves to raise the blood pressure of fans everywhere. Right now, Jed Hoyer needs to be considering ways to improve the bullpen. 

The rest of the team is humming. The lineup is healthy and scored 21 runs in three games. The starting pitching has continued their streak of strong pitching. However, the bullpen continues to be the thorn in the Cubs' metaphorical sides. 

In this series alone, Thompson and Lovelady nearly blew games, while Alzolay and Neris provided discomfort. Still, the Cubs found a way to capture the series, but strengthening the bullpen must be on Hoyer's short list of needs to address sooner rather than later. 

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs begin a second series on the road against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. Monday's game will feature LHP Shota Imanaga for the visiting Cubs and RHP Reynaldo Lopez for the Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. CDT.