Javier Assad went back out for the sixth inning as he was approaching the 100-pitch mark because the Cubs desperately needed length from their starter following their weekend series against the Dodgers. Assad was running out of juice and gave up a 2-run homer.
That should not have been a big deal because the Cubs were still up 8-2 over the Padres Monday night, but the Cubs bullpen really sucks and they ended up losing 9-8.
Jose Cuas came in after Assad and he was only able to get one out while allowing three hits. Luke Little came in and gave up a 2-run homer and all of a sudden the Cubs were only leading 8-7.
The Cubs worked around a leadoff walk in the seventh, but then Hector Neris walked the leadoff man in the eighth and with a depleted bullpen Craig Counsell turned to his closer.
Adbert Alzolay did retire the first batter he faced, but then Fernando Tatis Jr. came up to the plate.
Absolutely pathetic performance from the bullpen.
Alzolay has now given up two home runs in 4.2 IP after allowing a total of five home runs in 2023 in 64 innings.
The Cubs are without Julian Merryweather and it doesn’t sound like he’s coming back any time soon. No idea what Jed Hoyer and Counsell are thinking, but this team needs to shake things up. Cuas has been dreadful, Neris shaky at best and without Merryweather this bullpen is lacking even more depth.
Not good. Ugly. Going to be tough to beat for worst loss of the season.
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