Defensive gems by PCA can't prevent Cubs sloppy 6-4 loss to Rockies
A game that shaped up as a pitching mismatch ended with the Cubs making all the key mistakes.
Four Colorado runs were scored by players who reached base via walk or hit by pitch, three Cubs were thrown out on the bases and the Rockies won 6-4 on Tuesday in Denver.
The result spoiled the first major league start by center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. He went 0-for-4 at the plate, but made two fantastic catches in the outfield. One was a leaping grab at the wall, the other a sliding catch in right-center field, both after long runs.
"I'm going to sound crazy here, but the heart-to-mind manifestation is something I've thought about for long time," Crow-Armstrong told reporters after the game. "I had literally dreamed about making those catches and tried to picture what it would feel like.
"I'd say it exceeds what I thought. That's just the preparation I've done and the work I've put in. I expect to make those plays, regardless of the game."
Former Cub Kris Bryant hit the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, after Seiya Suzuki tied the score with a 2-run, opposite-field home run in the top of the inning.
It was Bryant's first homer since July 18, in his second game back after coming off the injured list. The often-injured Bryant has 14 home runs in two seasons since joining the Rockies as a free agent.
"We could have done a lot of things better," Cubs manager David Ross said. "Our signature is getting good starting pitching. Didn't get that from (Javier) Assad tonight, walking some at the bottom of the order, hitting a guy.
"They didn't have anything going until we jump-started them in that way. Got to throw strikes, he kind of lost command there. We could have done some things better defensively. Pete played his tail off in center, made some great plays. We made too many outs on the bases. Lot of little things."
Assad didn't make it out of the fourth inning, giving up 5 hits, 4 walks and the hit batter. He hadn't allowed more than 2 walks in a game since July. Rockies starter Chris Flexen entered the game with a 1-7 record and 6.98 ERA.
The Cubs hurt themselves on the bases too. Cody Bellinger was thrown out trying for a double, Nick Madrigal was out trying for a triple and Crow-Armstrong was caught stealing for the second straight game.
The Cubs added to their injured list Tuesday, placing infielder Jeimer Candelario on the 10-day IL with a low back strain.
Candelario has cooled off quite a bit since arriving in a trade with Washington on July 31. He was hitting .111 in September before leaving Sunday's game at Wrigley Field in the fifth inning.
"Getting him back to 100% healthy and not feeling like he's got to rush back, I thought was one important piece," Ross told Marquee Sports Network before the game. "He wasn't recovering as quick as the trainers and him and myself thought he would."
This makes three key Cubs players on the injured list with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season - Candelario, Adbert Alzolay and Marcus Stroman.
The feeling with Alzolay and Candelario is now is the time to give them a rest, so they'll hopefully be back to full strength by the final week of the season and playoffs.
Stroman threw another bullpen session in Arizona on Monday, so optimism is growing he'll be able to return, at least in a relief role, before the season ends. Alexander Canario was brought back to take Candelario's spot on the roster.
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