Assad Shines For Chicago, But Baserunning Blunders Cost Cubs
The Chicago Cubs dropped a frustrating series finale to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night, falling 2-1 in 10 innings. While the pitching staff got a massive boost from a familiar face to Iowa fans, critical baserunning mistakes ultimately handed the Giants the win.
Costly Mistakes Plague Chicago
Accountability matters on the diamond, and the Cubs failed the test in the late innings. Chicago had prime opportunities to win the game but squandered them with poor decisions on the basepaths. In the 8th inning, with runners on the corners and nobody out, Kevin Alcántara was caught too far off third base on a lineout to first baseman Rafael Devers. Devers easily doubled him off, ending the threat immediately.
Later, in the bottom of the 10th, the Cubs had Pete Crow-Armstrong on third base with one out. Instead of driving him in, the Cubs hit two straight pop-ups to end the game. A Matt Chapman single in the top half of the inning had already given the Giants the lead, making the offensive failures sting even worse.
Taillon Exits Early With Injury
The Cubs' pitching rotation took another hit when Jameson Taillon exited the game in the 2nd inning with a left hamstring strain. Taillon threw only six pitches before manager Craig Counsell and a trainer joined him on the mound. Taillon then walked stiffly back to the clubhouse.
Injuries have plagued the Cubs' staff all season. Cade Horton is out for the year, and Justin Steele suffered a setback last month with no clear return date. Edward Cabrera recently returned from a finger blister injury but gave up eight earned runs in his first start back. The team does expect Matthew Boyd to return soon, but the rotation depth remains a serious concern.
Iowa Familiar Assad Delivers Heroic Relief
When Taillon went down, the Cubs desperately needed someone to step up and eat innings. They found their hero in Javier Assad, who had just prepared for this exact scenario down at Triple-A Iowa.
Assad entered the game like a firefighter answering an alarm. He tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five. He threw 72 pitches, with 46 going for strikes. His performance saved the rest of the bullpen from burning out.