The Cubs played a sloppy game leading up to an All-Star selection show they figured to dominate on Tuesday night, falling into a five-run hole by the third inning against a last-place Cincinnati Reds team tanking for the future.
Veteran pitcher John Lackey didn’t bring his “Big Boy Game,” zoning out on a David Ross passed ball and reacting too slow to cover home plate in the first inning, allowing Reds speedster Billy Hamilton to score from second base.
Manager Joe Maddon flipped out in the second inning, got ejected for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Jerry Meals in the middle of a Ross at-bat and could take the afternoon off, at least until his media session following a 9-5 loss.