A’s break out the bats to snap Cubs’ win streak
CHICAGO — There were a few consolation prizes in the wake of the Cubs’ 11-4 humbling by the Athletics that snapped a four-game winning streak Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
First, the A’s eight-run second inning set the tone for Cubs manager Joe Maddon to pull many of his starting position players early and allow them to get extra rest in preparation for Wednesday’s series finale.
Second, Jon Lester’s early exit enabled Duane Underwood Jr. to make his 2019 Cubs debut, and he didn’t disappoint. Underwood struck out six consecutive batters to tie a franchise record for a reliever held by Juan Cruz in 2003 and Bruce Sutter in 1977.
Underwood, 25, a secondround pick in 2012, made a swift transition from a starting to relief role at Triple-A Iowa this season and displayed a fastball that topped out at 97 mph.
Finally, there was some amusing relief in the ninth, as backup catcher Taylor Davis pitched and Kyle Schwarber caught for the first time since a 15-2 loss to the Brewers on Sept. 9, 2017.
Hopes of Schwarber becoming a full-time catcher ended on April 7, 2016, when he tore knee ligaments in an outfield collision with Dexter Fowler, but Maddon said recently that Schwarber would serve as the emergency third catcher.
There were no incidents, as Davis allowed three hits but worked out of a bases-loaded jam and received an ovation.
The Cubs (61-52) never threatened as Lester (9-8) was charged with 10 earned runs in four innings — the second most he has allowed in his career. Lester allowed 11 earned runs in four innings against the Blue Jays on July 22, 2012, while pitching for the Red Sox.
Center fielder Albert Almora Jr. mistimed his jump on a deep ball by Mark Canha that went for a triple to start the eight-run second. Dustin Garneau hit a three-run home run.
The Cubs, already without All-Star catcher Willson Contreras for four weeks because of a hamstring strain, survived a scare when first baseman Anthony Rizzo threw home to try to nail Matt Chapman.
Chapman slid hard into the glove of catcher Victor Caratini, knocking the glove off Caratini’s left hand and causing him to wince in pain for several minutes.
Caratini remained in the game and played the final five innings at first in place of Rizzo.
Stephen Piscotty hit a threerun home run off Lester in the fourth.
Lester entered Tuesday’s game 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 11 home starts. He has allowed 15 runs on 19 hits in his last nine innings covering two starts.
To compound matters, the Cubs were held scoreless for five innings by left-hander Brett Anderson, who had an 8.18 ERA in six starts with the Cubs in 2017.
Anderson (10-7) scattered four hits through five innings. Nicholas Castellanos led off the sixth with his 40th double, and Kris Bryant followed with a two-run home run.