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Feigning ignorance and reverting to “one game at a time” coaching are practical tactics to avoid discussing unfortunate historical marks. But Cubs manager David Ross looked genuinely confused when a reporter mentioned the Cubs’ soon to be record-breaking home losing streak earlier this weekend.
“You have to educate me on the streak of records that we are avoiding,” he said.
With a 9-1 loss to the Royals on Sunday, the Cubs set a new record with a 13-game skid at Wrigley Field.
It would be understandable if the home losing streak wasn’t really on Ross’ radar. The Cubs had ended a 12-game losing streak days earlier, winning two of three games in Cincinnati. That streak was also remarkable, setting a new high for the season and marking the first time since 1954 that the Cubs recorded two double-digit losing streaks in the same season.
The Cubs’ most recent record slippage, however, highlighted another aspect of the rut after the team’s deadline. Even Friendly Confines can’t cushion the blow of the Cubs liquidation.
“We’re just trying to come every day and try to do our best and compete,” Ross said. “It’s a great environment here, a great place to play.”
Although plots of empty green seats dispersed the crowd, the 29,640 people in attendance still produced a familiar buzz on Sunday and a roar when it was deserved. The Blue Angels flew over our heads, starting the afternoon with an air show. The sun and a light breeze engulfed the stands. Sunday provided the quintessential atmosphere for the Wrigley Field Day game.
In previous years – or even months before – a natural sequel would be: Why, then, did the Cubs have such a hard time winning at home?
The answer during this slippage, however, is crystal clear. The Cubs sent out half of the active roster, including three star members and the team’s top relievers, in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. It’s not just Wrigley Field – the Cubs are struggling to win anywhere except Cincinnati lately.
“You try to find the things that you can work on and try to focus on the areas where you can improve,” Ross said after Sunday’s game. “Everyone at this level wants to win, and it’s frustrating not to. ”
Like the home slippage overall, the Cubs’ deficit on Sunday widened slowly and steadily. The Royals scored in every set from the second through the sixth, burying the Cubs one and two runs at a time.
“My main goal is to keep us in the game and give us some length,” said Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills, who allowed seven runs (six earned) in four innings on Sunday, “and I didn’t. really did none of these today. . So come home, play with my son, try to clear my head, enjoy the night and come back tomorrow and find out what I need to do to be better next time.
Several of his teammates had a similar agenda.
The players’ families joined them on the pitch after the match. Michael Hermosillo chased his young daughter into the outfield. Patrick Wisdom held his little daughter in one arm and followed his eldest daughter on the paths of the base. Rafael Ortega rolled balls on the floor to his son, who was wearing a tiny matching jersey.
“These guys are working hard and they’re getting into the competition the best they can,” Ross said. “Now sometimes that doesn’t work. Sometimes it is. At the moment, it’s not working a lot. But we’ll put our pants on tomorrow and go out and try to get him to the Rockies.
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