Observations: Cubs avoid no-no, home skid ties record

Well, at least the Cubs didn't get no-hit.

The Cubs snapped Royals starter Kris Bubic's no-hit bid in the seventh inning Saturday but ultimately fell 4-2, tying a franchise record for their longest home losing streak.

Here are 10 observations from the game.

1. What is it about the Cubs and well-timed weather delays? Bubic threw six no-hit innings before a 34-minute delay due to lightning in the area.

When play resumed, Bubic issued a five-pitch walk to Frank Schwindel and two-run home run to Patrick Wisdom, ending the no-no.

2. Wisdom, who also went deep Friday, is only the seventh rookie in Cubs history with 20 home runs in a season. Ian Happ was the last to achieve the feat when he hit 24 in 2017.

3. Wisdom's home run turned out to be the Cubs' lone hit. A pair of Schwindel walks — one in the first inning — were their only other baserunners.

4. The Cubs have lost 12 straight home games, tied for a franchise record. The skid dates back to July 27 — the game after Javy Báez’ walk-off single and epic celebration vs. Amir Garrett. The Cubs also lost 12 straight home games to start the 1994 season (April 4-May 3).

5. Keegan Thompson found himself in early trouble in his second career start. Through five pitches, he allowed a double and single, and threw a wild pitch, falling behind the Royals 1-0. He threw 31 total pitches in the frame.

6. David Bote made a great diving stop in the second and nearly threw out Whit Merrifield from shallow right field — which would have gotten Thompson out of a jam. Merrifield beat the throw, and Thompson surrendered an RBI single his very next pitch.

7. Thompson settled in over his final two innings, throwing 24 pitches compared to 49 through his first two. He retired the final six batters he faced and held the Royals to two runs despite heavy traffic (five hits, two walks).

8. A chorus of boos rained down from Cubs fans after replay review extended the Royals’ lead to 3-0. The Cubs perfectly executed a 7-4-2 relay to cut down Andrew Benintendi at the plate, appearing to end the fifth inning, but replay review ruled catcher Robinson Chirinos was blocking the plate.

Benintendi was thrown out by several feet and never attempted to slide.

"My only issue with that was I thought [Benintendi] was out by a good five, six steps," manager David Ross said. "I thought it wouldn't have mattered whether he was blocking the plate or not.

"It looked like he was dead to rights on the play at the plate. It shouldn't matter where the catcher is from that standpoint, for me."

"I'll definitely be checking with MLB and find out what they saw in that."

9. Remember Merrifield? The Cubs were connected to him seemingly every offseason and trade deadline during their last contention window. The second baseman went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, once on a double steal in which he swiped home.

10. Young Cubs relievers Codi Heuer (eighth) and Manny Rodríguez (ninth) combined to toss two scoreless innings.

On deck: First pitch Sunday is 1:20 p.m. Alec Mills (5-5, 4.19 ERA) and Carlos Hernández (3-1, 4.33 ERA) are the probable starters.

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