The Cubs lost 10-0 to the Braves on Wednesday night, dropping to 10-14 on the season.
Here’s 10 observations from the game.
1. The Braves roughed up Kyle Hendricks for the second time in his past three starts. Atlanta scored seven runs off him in 3 2/3 innings, five times on home runs.
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Hendricks also gave up seven runs (in four innings) April 18 vs. Atlanta, including six tallies on four home runs in the first inning alone.
2. Hendricks has given up seven first-inning home runs this season, including a pair on Wednesday. The Cubs and Nationals entered Wednesday leading all MLB teams with seven first-inning homers allowed.
3. Hendricks has already allowed as many home runs as he did all of 2020. He’s given up 10 in 22 2/3 innings this season, the same number he allowed in 81 1/3 innings last season.
4. Hendricks is traditionally a slow starter, but his 7.54 ERA in five starts this month is now his career worst for March/April.
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5. The Cubs gave up six or more runs in 20 of 60 games last season. They’ve allowed six or more in eight of their first 24 games this season.
6. Speaking of 2020, the Cubs have been shut out in more games this season (five) than all of last season (four). They were shut out just eight times in 2019, the last full 162-game MLB season.
7. Anthony Rizzo, the self-proclaimed Greatest Leadoff Hitter of All-Time, returned to the top of the order Wednesday and finished 1-for-4. His career average in the top spot dropped to .321 from .327 with the showing.
8. Rizzo's leadoff average may have dropped, but his career ERA held steady at 0.00. The Cubs first baseman got two outs in the seventh inning — striking out 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman.
9. Kris Bryant returned to the starting lineup after missing Tuesday's game while resting a right biceps ailment. He went 2-for-4 on the night.
10. The Cubs are four games under .500 for the first time since April 13, 2019 (5-9).