Errors hurt Sox in 2nd loss to rebuilding Cubs
Mark Leiter Jr. threw 51⁄3 solid innings of emergency relief, Nico Hoerner and Patrick Wisdom each had two hits and the Chicago Cubs capitalized on a pair of Boston errors and beat the Red Sox 3-1 Saturday night.
Four pitchers combined to limit the Red Sox to five hits as Chicago won its fifth out of six.
David Robertson got four outs for his 11th save in 14 opportunities. He gave up a double before striking out Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez and worked around a walk, coaxing a flyout to end the game.
Jackie Bradley Jr., Jarren Duran and Devers doubled for the Red Sox, who have dropped four of five. Boston went 20-6 in June but has lost two straight to the rebuilding Cubs.
Chicago starter Alec Mills exited due to lower back pain after throwing just seven pitches. Leiter Jr. allowed three hits, struck out five and walked one.
The Cubs went ahead 2-0 in the second after two errors. Wisdom reached on an infield single and advanced on third baseman Devers’ throwing error. Wisdom then scored on pitcher Josh Winckowski’s throwing error to first on a bunt single by Hoerner, who went to third on a groundout and scored on Narciso Crook’s sacrifice fly.
Boston cut the lead to one in the sixth, chasing Leiter. Bradley Jr. led off with a double, advanced on Duran’s single and scored on a double play.
Pinch runner Nelson Velazquez stole second, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Wisdom’s single off Tanner Houck in the eighth.
Winckowski (3-2), a rookie, gave up two runs, one earned, and six hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked one. He was trying to win his fourth straight start since being recalled from Triple-A on June 15.
Trainer’s room
Red Sox: LHP Rich Hill (knee) went on the 15-day injured list. RHP Phillips Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Worcester . ... RHP Nathan Eovaldi (back) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session . ... RHP Garrett Whitlock (hip) threw a bullpen session and participated in fielding practice . ... INF Kike Hernandez (hip) took 20 swings. If he progresses well, he could begin a rehab assignment Friday or Saturday. … LHP James Paxton (Tommy John surgery) threw a 32-pitch bullpen.