With the way the Cubs came charging out of the All-Star break taking three of four from the Phillies, I was convinced they were going to make a run at the NL Central title. And if they were not going to make the playoffs, I at least felt they would regain respectability. So much for optimism on the North Side.
In a span of four days, the Cubs suffered two of the most embarrassing losses of the season. On Friday, they got blistered by the Rockies 17-2. The game was actually close with the Rockies leading 5-2 through seven innings. That was until the disastrous 8th inning struck, where the Cubs shuffled through three pitchers while allowing 12 runs in the same inning. Oh yeah, all 12 runs came with two outs! After that debacle, you figured things could not get much worse. And then came Monday.
The Cubs lost that nail-biter 18-1 to the Brewers. Milwaukee’s scoring was much more balanced — five runs in each the 4th and 5th, and one, two, or three runs in every inning thereafter. Chicago surrendered 26 hits which tied a franchise worst. They also fell an embarrassing 14 games under .500 at 46-60.
You could feel badly for the Cubs at this point, but don’t bother shedding a tear for Lou Piniella. At least he doesn’t have to see any more of this past September.
