The Cubs have a run prevention problem

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Things didn’t get better for the Cubs in the run prevention department on Monday night.

After allowing a combined 19 runs against the Rangers on Saturday and Sunday, the Braves scored early and often Monday, drubbing the Cubs 8-0.

Allowing eight runs is a problem, but the fact that just two were earned is more problematic. The Cubs committed six errors, their most since Sept. 12, 2006, against the Dodgers.

A breakdown of the defensive miscues:

-Mark Zagunis dropped a foul popup hit by Ender Inciarte in the first inning for error No. 1 of the night. Inciarte took Kyle Hendricks deep on the very next pitch, putting the Braves ahead 1-0.

-Later in the first inning, Javier Báez overthrew Hendricks attempting to turn a 3-6-1 double play for error No. 2. The errant throw allowed Josh Donaldson to score from second, putting the Braves ahead 2-0.

-One batter later, an Ozzie Albies popup dropped between Báez, Zagunis and Albert Almora Jr. for a double. While it didn’t count as an error, the play was a miscue by the defense that doesn’t appear in the box score.

-Anthony Rizzo bobbled a ground ball hit by Brian McCann in the third inning for error No. 3. Rizzo also recorded the Cubs’ fourth error trying to flip the ball to Hendricks, though Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson struck out one batter later to end the inning.

-With one out and the bases loaded in the fifth inning, David Bote recorded error No. 5. Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson hit a line drive off of Hendricks' glove.

A run scored on the deflection, but Bote made an errant toss to Báez trying to record a force out at second base. A second run came around on the throw, putting the Braves up 7-0.

-Kris Bryant bobbled a ground ball hit by Nick Markakis in the sixth inning. Albies hit an RBI single one batter later, giving the Braves an 8-0 lead.

Hendricks allowed just two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, but he surrendered seven total runs on 10 hits and two home runs.

On a more positive note, the Cubs bullpen only allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings after allowing 13 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings against the Rangers over the weekend. Furthermore, Carl Edwards Jr.’s fastball velocity was back up after averaging 92 mph against the Rangers on Saturday.

On a less positive note, the Cubs were shutout after scoring 28 runs in three games against the Rangers. The loss hurts even more considering that the Cubs dropped two winnable games over the weekend and are now 1-3 early in the season.

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