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Chicago Cubs’ Ben Brown under fire for giving up 7 runs in loss to Royals
MLB: Spring Training Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs MLB: Spring Training Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs Mar 6, 2025; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs sent Ben Brown down to Triple-A after he gave up eight earned runs in an 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 23. Nearly a month later, Brown gave up seven earned runs in his first appearance in the majors since he was sent down to Iowa.

On Monday night, Brown gave up seven runs on seven hits and two home runs in 4.0 innings pitched. He added four strikeouts in the Cubs’ 12-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals in front of 38,117 fans at Wrigley Field.

The loss knocked the Cubs to second place in the NL Central, one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers. Brown slipped to 4-7 on the season with a 6.48 ERA in 17 appearances and 83.1 innings pitched.  H’s given up a total of 60 earned runs.

Ben Brown knows he needs to be better


MLB: Spring Training Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs MLB: Spring Training Kansas City Royals at Chicago Cubs Mar 6, 2025; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Following the game, Brown told reporters that he needed to be better in the future if he wanted more chances to pitch for the Cubs in the majors.

“Whatever opportunity is ahead of me, I have to be better to earn that,” Brown said via Marquee Sports Media.

Chicago Cubs fans are upset with Brown


MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Ben Brown (32) (right) celebrates with catcher Miguel Amaya (9) (left) after stirking out Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) (not pictured) in the sixth inning during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Many Cubs fans on social media believe the team should not give him another chance this season.

“Ugh!!! I mean, if the Cubs aren’t gonna trade him- put send him down to get better?” wrote a fan.

“You don’t have another chance. You should have done well when you had the chance,” posted another.

“Brown belongs in Iowa for good,” believes a poster.

“It’s an opportunity to gas up and drive back to Iowa. I wanted to bring somebody up to start these bullpen games but not this batting practice pitcher. See ya kid!” wrote a fan.

“Ben was good but Kelly can’t be the catcher. Reese is a better defensive catcher. McGuire knows how to call a game. We need pitching but Ben needs a real catcher,” argued a fan in Brown’s defense.

“Seems like a good dude. I just wish he was a good pitcher lol,” posted another.


MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs May 31, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) pats catcher Carson Kelly (15) on the cheek after Kelly caught a fly ball in foul territory hit by Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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