Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Cubs continue skid after Kimbrel's blown save

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Saturday, 21 September 2019 18:48

CHICAGO -- The Cubs are seeing their season slip away in heartbreaking and dramatic fashion as they lost their fourth consecutive one-run game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, after closer Craig Kimbrel gave up ninth-inning home runs on back-to-back pitches.

Kimbrel, 31, entered the game against the St. Louis Cardinals holding onto an 8-7 lead before Yadier Molina hit his first pitch, a 97 mph fastball, out to left field. Paul DeJong did the same moments later, sending another fastball over the wall.

"I feel like I made two competitive pitches that I wanted to and they went out," Kimbrel said after the game. "It's frustrating. It's the only thing I can say."

The ending is becoming all too familiar for the Cubs and Kimbrel. He also gave up a winning home run to Matt Carpenter in Game 1 of this series on Thursday, breaking a 4-4, 10th-inning tie. In just 23 appearances since signing with the Cubs in June, Kimbrel has given up nine home runs, a career high for one season.

"We had the right guy there at the end," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "You talk about two shots to the jaw, and they got the win."

play
1:44

Watch Craig Kimbrel discuss the two HRs he gave up

Watch Craig Kimbrel discuss the two home runs hit off him on back-to-back pitches in the Cubs' 9-8 loss to the Cards on Saturday. Video by Jesse Rogers

The Cubs will have to wonder if Kimbrel was ready for the moment, considering he was on the injured list until Thursday with right elbow soreness. The team deemed him ready after a 16-pitch simulated game a couple of days earlier, but three home runs given up in less than two innings of work might suggest something different.

"I feel great right now," Kimbrel said. "I just didn't get the results I wanted -- the results I need to have to do my job. Moving forward, I have a good feeling I will."

As Maddon added, "He was already in one game. He's had ample time to get it back together. It was kind of surprising. ... That was the right time for him. There was nothing wrong with his arm strength."

Kimbrel is signed for two more seasons after this one, so concern might grow about his performance, if indeed he is healthy. But the here and now is the only thing that matters for the Cubs. It was a crushing defeat in a week of them, even though they fought back several times in Saturday's four-hour, 24-minute marathon. But whatever can go wrong has, as the Cubs dropped their fifth consecutive game, and they are reeling from injuries and blown saves.

"Craig's a Hall of Fame closer," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "He's got a track record for a reason. He puts in the work. We all see it. He's an amazing guy in the clubhouse. We have his back. It's tough. I know he feels bad, but he's a competitor and he's a champion and he'll bounce back."

It has been 47 years since the Cubs have lost four consecutive one-run games, but they'll have to put that all behind them if they have any chance at a fifth consecutive postseason appearance. Saturday's game will be a tough one to get over. Chicago's chances to make the playoffs dropped from 77% at the end of play on Monday to 9.1% on Saturday night, according to FanGraphs data.

"I'm feeling for Craig right now more than anything," Maddon said.

Read 353 times

Soccer

Kylian Mbappé's poor form will end - Ancelotti

Kylian Mbappé's poor form will end - Ancelotti

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti has backed Kylian Mbappé to end his poor run of for...

Leverkusen's Schick nets hat-trick in comeback win

Leverkusen's Schick nets hat-trick in comeback win

Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick bagged a hat-trick on Saturday to help the German champions b...

Ronaldo's Saudi title hopes hurt by Aubameyang

Ronaldo's Saudi title hopes hurt by Aubameyang

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCristiano Ronaldo's hopes of lifting his first silverware since mov...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Rockies agree to one-year deal with IF Farmer

Rockies agree to one-year deal with IF Farmer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- The Colorado Rockies agreed to a one-year deal Saturday w...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated