Cubs Blow Late Lead, Lose to Rangers on Gallo Home Run
Kyle Schwarber hit his first home run of the season, but it wasn't enough for the Cubs
By James Neveau ••
Kyle Schwarber belted his first home run of the season, and Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras each picked up their first doubles, but it wasn’t enough as the Chicago Cubs lost to the Texas Rangers 8-6 on Saturday night.
The Cubs held the lead until the bottom of the eighth inning when Carl Edwards Jr. gave up a towering three run home run to Joey Gallo. Jose LeClerc came into the game to finish off the contest, and sent the Cubs to a 1-1 record in the early stages of the season.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A ball and a Chicago Bears helmet are seen on the sidelines during a preseason game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Tackle Bobby Massie signs a four-year contract extension to remain with the Bears.
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The Bears take the first step to replace Cody Parkey, signing Redford Jones to a reserve contract.
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Another long-time Bear is let go, as linebacker Sam Acho was released.
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Bears tight end Ben Braunecker sticks around, signing a two-year contract extension.
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Offensive lineman Ted Larsen returns to the Bears, signing a one-year contract as free agency begins.
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The Bears made a move at running back, singing Mike Davis to a two-year contract.
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The Bears found their replacement for Bryce Callahan, signing Buster Skrine to a three-year contract.
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Cordarrelle Patterson signs a two-year contract with the Bears, aims to be their primary kick returner in 2019.
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After the Green Bay Packers signed Adrian Amos away from the Bears, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract
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3/14: Safety Adrian Amos leaves the Bears to sign a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
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Wide receiver Marvin Hall signs a one-year contract.
Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy signs a deal with the New York Jets.
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Cornerback Bryce Callahan signs a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rejoining Vic Fangio.
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Wide receiver Kevin White signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Punter Pat O’Donnell and quarterback Tyler Bray both sign one-year contracts with the Bears.
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The Bears trade running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
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The Bears sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
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The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Aaron Lynch to a one-year contract. Lynch had three sacks and four tackles for loss in the 2018 season.
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The following players were signed during the offseason to reserve/future contracts: Dejon Allen, Abdullah Anderson, Willie Beavers, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Cyril Grayson, Michael Joseph, Cornelius Lucas, Jonathon Mincy, Ryan Nall, James Vaughters, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Josh Woods
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G.M. Ryan Pace has aggressively been seeking to replace Cody Parkey as the team's kicker, and two players under contract were cut from the competition as Redford Jones and John Baron II were cut, while the team has decided to keep Elliott Fry and Chris Blewitt.
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The Bears signed three of their draft picks, including fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and seventh round picks Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Stephen Denmark. Third round pick David Montgomery remains unsigned, as does cornerback Duke Shelley.
Bryant went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a pair of walks, and Javier Baez collected two more hits and an RBI in the game. Contreras ended up with a pair of doubles and two RBI as he continued his strong start to the season.
Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish made his debut for the 2019 campaign but struggled, giving up seven walks and three earned runs in just two and two-third innings of work.
The Cubs got off to a roaring start in the first inning, as Baez singled to center field to drive in Bryant. Schwarber then hit an RBI single to right to score another run, and Contreras collected an infield single to drive in a third run to make it a 3-0 game.
After Contreras doubled to center field to make it 4-1 in the third inning, the Rangers started slowly chipping away. Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run home run to make it a 4-3 game, and then in the seventh inning, Shin Soo-Choo hit a two-run single to make it 6-5.
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Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by Jason Heyward #22 following a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field on August 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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RHP Brad Brach: 2-4 record, 3.59 ERA, 60 K's in 2018
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RHP Tyler Chatwood: 4-6 record, 5.30 ERA, 85 K's in 2018
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RHP Steve Cishek: 4-3 record, 2.18 ERA, 78 K's in 2018
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RHP Yu Darvish: 1-3 record, 4.95 ERA, 49 K's in 2018
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RHP Carl Edwards Jr.: 3-2 record, 2.60 ERA, 67 K's in 2018 season
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LHP Cole Hamels: 9-12 record, 3.78 ERA, 188 K's in 2018 season
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RHP Kyle Hendricks: 14-11 record, 3.44 ERA, 161 K's in 2018 season
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RHP Brandon Kintzler: 3-3 record, 4.60 ERA, 43 K's in 2018 season
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LHP Jon Lester: 18-6 record, 3.32 ERA, 149 K's in 2018 season
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LHP Mike Montgomery: 5-6 record, 3.99 ERA, 86 K's in 2018 season
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LHP Jose Quintana: 13-11 record, 4.03 ERA, 158 K's in 2018 season
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LHP Randy Rosario: 4-0 record, 3.66 ERA, 30 K's in 2018 season
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RHP Pedro Strop: 6-1 record, 2.26 ERA, 57 K's in 2018 season
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C Victor Caratini: .232 AVG., 2 HR, 21 RBI in 2018 season
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C Willson Contreras: .249 AVG., 10 HR, 54 RBI in 2018 season
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INF Javier Baez: .290 AVG., 34 HR, 111 RBI in 2018 season
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INF David Bote: .239 AVG., 6 HR, 33 RBI in 2018 season
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INF Kris Bryant: .272 AVG., 13 HR, 52 RBI in 2018 season
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INF Daniel Descalso: .238 AVG., 13 HR, 57 RBI in 2018 season
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INF Anthony Rizzo: .283 AVG., 25 HR, 101 RBI in 2018 season
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INF Ben Zobrist: .305 AVG., 9 HR, 58 RBI in 2018 season
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OF Albert Almora Jr.: .286 AVG., 5 HR, 41 RBI in 2018 season
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OF Jason Heyward: .270 AVG., 8 HR, 57 RBI in 2018 season
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OF Kyle Schwarber: .238 AVG., 26 HR, 61 RBI in 2018 season
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OF Mark Zagunis: .400 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI in 2018 season
In the eighth inning, Edwards struggled badly with his command, allowing two baserunners before Gallo launched a deep home run to give the Rangers a lead which they would never relinquish.
Now the Cubs will head into the rubber match of the three game series on Sunday afternoon, with Cole Hamels taking the hill for the North Siders as he faces his former club. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m., and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago and ESPN.
