Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field was one of those games the Cubs want to tie a rock around and throw into Lake Michigan.
The Mets beat up on Jose Quintana early and often, scoring runs in each of the first six innings of the 10-2 loss that dropped the Cubs’ season record to 41-35. Quintana fell to 4-7 overall on the season and hasn't garnered a win since May 5, going 0-6 with three no-decisions in that stretch.
The veteran southpaw was knocked around for 9 runs (8 earned) in 4.1 innings on 2 walks and 9 hits, including 3 homers.
"Rough day," Quintana said. "It was pretty frustrating for me. I'm trying to get results and every start, I try to win the game. And then to have a day like that, it's really tough, man. I feel really bad, but I never quit, so I'm gonna continue to do my job and get results."
Quintana wasn't alone in receiving blame for Saturday's loss. In each of the first two innings, the Cubs put the first two guys on base and failed to score either time as the recent offensive rut continues.
The Cubs have looked very sloppy the past two days against the Mets, making mental mistakes on the basepaths and physical mistakes in the field - including Victor Caratini dropping a routine ball at first base Saturday.
It's been odd to see from a team that will still be in sole possession of first place in the NL Central when they wake up Sunday morning.
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"We had a terrible game," Joe Maddon said. "There's no question we had a bad game. We have to do better than that. We are better than that. I cannot defend some of the plays. We're better than that."
It's been a tough start to the weekend for the Cubs, but they've shown many times in the recent past that they have the ability to successfully turn the page on a difficult loss.
It helps when the team actually ended the game on something of a high note, from Jason Heyward's hustle to plate a run to Caratini's scoreless inning on the mound and Jeter-esque play off it.
"The issue isn't whether we're here to play or not," Maddon said. "We just had a tough day. They swung the bats really well and they threw a good pitcher. They beat us. They beat us soundly today. Every which way, they beat us.
"But I want our guys to play to the last drop. I think we do."