Well, at least Jake Arrieta didn’t give up a big lead against the Brewers this time.
Milwaukee pounced on Arrieta early and often in an 8-0 win over the Cubs Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
Here are 10 observations from the game.
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1. In his first start against the Brewers since giving up a 7-0 lead in 1 2/3 innings June 30, Arrieta gave up seven runs on eight hits in the first inning Wednesday. Milwaukee sent 11 batters to the plate.
2. Wrigley Field echoed with boos after the Brewers scored their sixth run off Arrieta in the first. By allowing one more after that, he tied his career-high for most runs allowed in a single inning.
3. Arrieta gave the Cubs four innings, finishing the night with eight runs allowed (all earned) on 11 hits. Both were just short of his career worsts (13 hits, nine earned runs) set back on Aug. 6, 2014, against the Rockies in Colorado.
4. Arrieta started the season 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA in his first five starts. In 15 starts since, he’s 2-9 with an 8.95 ERA (58 earned runs in 58 1/3 innings).
MLB
5. As Arrieta struggled, Brewers starter Corbin Burnes was making MLB history. From the second through fifth innings, Burnes struck out 10 straight Cubs hitters, tying an MLB record.
Tom Seaver (April 22, 1970) and Aaron Nola (June 25, 2021) previously accomplished the feat. Burnes struck out all 10 swinging.
6. Burnes not only mowed down Cubs hitters but did so extremely efficiently. He didn’t throw his 50th pitch until the fifth inning, in the second at-bat after his streak ended.
Burnes pitched eight shutout innings, striking out 15 while allowing four hits and no walks.
7. Someone chanted “MVP” after Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega led off the first inning with a single. Ortega has a hit in 12 of his last 13 games and has reached base safely in all 13. He’s batting .407 (13-for-81) since the All-Star break.
8. With Milwaukee ahead 8-0 in the seventh, Cubs manager David Ross got Ortega and catcher Willson Contreras off their feet, subbing in Johneshwy Fargas and Robinson Chirinos.
9. The Cubs are closing in on their worst season against the Brewers ever. Wednesday’s loss dropped them to 3-12 against Milwaukee in 2021. They went 6-13 in 2013 and 4-13 in 2012 against the Brewers — when they lost 101 and 96 games total.
10. The Cubs reached a season-high 11 games above .500 on June 13 (38-27). They’re 14-37 since — a .275 winning percentage. They’ve lost seven straight games, four shy of their season-worst 11-game skid.
On deck: First pitch Thursday is 1:20 as the Cubs try and avoid the sweep. Kyle Hendricks (13-4, 3.68 ERA) and Brandon Woodruff (7-6, 2.23 ERA) are the probable starters.