Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (4/21/22): Cubs 3, Pirates 4 – Bats Go Silent After Cubs Jump Out To Early Lead

This was one of those games you’d like to forget. And chances are very high that’s exactly what the Cubs will do.

The Pirates were sloppy early, walking three batters in the 1st inning which helped the Cubs jump out to an early 2-0 lead. The Cubs added another run in the bottom of the 2nd. Patrick Wisdom and Nico Hoerner each singled to lead off the inning. Seiya Suzuki grounded out to score Wisdom.

The Cubs managed just one hit the rest of the way, getting completely shut down by the Pirates bullpen.

Mark Leiter, Jr. struggled, once again, in the 3rd inning, giving up a leadoff walk to start things off. Daniel Vogelbach proceeded to rip a two-run home run.

Ethan Roberts replaced Leiter and allowed two walks and two doubles before getting pulled in the 5th. That led to two runs, all the Pirates would need to squeak this game out.

Why the Cubs Lost

The bats went silent after the Cubs jumped out to an early lead. It feels like the batting order needs to be seriously tweaked. There was just no momentum after the 2nd inning and the energy level was sub-zero.

Key Moment

Every inning after the 2nd.

Stats That Matter

• Seiya Suzuki came plummeting back to earth, striking out three times with no hits.
• Rafael Ortega is not a leadoff man. He stuck out twice and had one hit. His season average is currently .185.
• The Cubs finished with only four hits and no player had more than one hit.

Bottom Line

This was about as ugly an offensive performance as your going to see in MLB.

On Deck

The Cubs take on the Pirates on Friday in game two of the four-game set. Drew Smyly goes up against Jose Quintana. Game time is the traditional 1:20pm CT and it will be broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.