CINCINNATI — The Chicago Cubs had been searching for more consistency from their starting pitchers, and they finally got it this weekend in Cincinnati.
All three starters gave the Cubs what they needed, with each pitching into at least the sixth inning. Kyle Hendricks anchored the rotation’s efforts against the Reds on Sunday with his 10th straight outing of six or more innings.
And yet those performances weren’t enough to avoid getting swept by the Reds with three one-run losses. The Cubs’ 10-game, three-city road trip ended with a thud.
With the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth inning, catcher Willson Contreras hit into a game-ending double play for a 3-2 defeat — the Cubs’ ninth straight loss.