Observations: Cubs' losing streak closes in on history originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Cubs lost 15-10 to the Phillies Tuesday night, extending their losing streak to 11 games. They dropped to 42-44 with the loss.
Here are 10 observations from the game.
1. It’s hard to imagine a worse start to a game than Jake Arrieta’s first inning. Jean Segura crushed his first pitch for a double; Arrieta hit J.T. Realmuto after a first-pitch strike; Bryce Harper lined a single to right field; Andrew McCutchen hit a wind-aided grand slam.
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All of that damage came in 10 pitches.
2. Arrieta’s night ended after a rocky second inning in which the Phillies scored three more runs on three hits and two walks. He lasted 1 2/3 innings, like his last start, against the Brewers.
3. Arrieta started the season 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA in five starts. In 12 starts since, he’s 2-7 with an 8.55 ERA. It’s bottomed out in his last two outings; Arrieta has allowed 13 runs (10 earned).
4. The Wrigley Field faithful showering Bryce Harper in boos was no detriment to the Phillies outfielder. Harper went 5-for-6 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run.
Jean Segura, J.T. Realmuto and Harper — Philadelphia’s 1-3 hitters — went 9-for-15, reaching base 12 times combined. They scored nine of the Phillies’ runs.
5. In what might be a tune-up for a Sunday start in place of Arrieta, Trevor Williams gave up seven runs (three earned) on six hits in 3 2/3 relief innings.
Williams came off the IL Tuesday and made first appearance since his emergency appendectomy in May.
6. Ten runs scored Tuesday is the Cubs' most since May 29 (also 10). They still got blown out.
7. Javy Báez is closing in on a Cubs record held by Ryne Sandberg. Báez hit his 20th and 21st home runs of the season, three shy of Sandberg's mark for most by a Cubs middle infielder before the All-Star break.
8. It's come during this rough stretch for the Cubs, but Báez is on a good run offensively. He's hitting .282 with a .383 on-base percentage and four home runs in their last 11 games.
9. Brad Wieck preserved his season-long shutout with two scoreless innings. The lefty has kept opponents off the board in his 15 appearances (17 innings).
10. Three teams in Cubs history have lost 100 games. Only one had a losing streak this long — the 2012 Cubs lost 12 straight games.
On deck: Game 3 of the four-game series is Wednesday, with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Zach Wheeler (6-4, 2.05 ERA) and Alec Mills (3-2, 4.85 ERA) are the probable starters.
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