It was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon at Wrigley Field Thursday, with temps in the low 80s, unlimited sunshine, a light lake breeze, the kind of day you’d like to bottle up and let it out in January when Chicago really needs it.
And for six innings, the Cubs baseball matched the weather, an excellent outing from Adrian Sampson and just enough runs to go into the seventh with a lead.
Sampson faced 21 batters, threw 75 pitches (55 strikes) and didn’t walk anyone.
The Cubs bullpen... uh, they weren’t good. Five Cubs relievers faced 19 batters, threw 87 pitches (only 44 strikes) and issued six walks, one of the biggest reasons the Reds came back and won an ugly game 4-3.