It's the Same Old Story as Braves Shutout Cubs 2-0

The Braves held the Cubs' offense in check. With five total hits, the offense could not provide Imanaga with any run support. The most fire that came was manager Craig Counsell's first ejection as Cubs manager.

Umpires have been under scrutiny all season, now it was the Cubs' turn to be on the receiving end of the issue.

Imanaga's outing lasted 5.0 innings but the Braves could not scratch a run across. In such a short outing, the Cubs were playing with fire when it came to preserving the 0-0 tie.

With back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the sixth inning, Hayden Wesneski started off on the right foot. With back-to-back doubles that opened the scoring for the Braves in the same inning, it was déjà vu all over again. Zack Short, the former Cubs farmhand, ignited the scoring for the host Braves. 

Ronald Acuna Jr. was be the next batter to capitalize by bringing in Zack Short thanks to a RBI single to extend the lead, 2-0. On the bright side, Wesneski limited the damage sustained from there.

The Cubs mustered nothing better than singles for the rest of the game. Christopher Morel drew a walk in ninth inning, but left the game after fouling a ball off his toe in that same at-bat. The Cubs fell 2-0 to the Braves in the series opener. 

Takeaways

Once again, the Cubs were led by another dazzling start from Shota Imanaga and could do nothing offensively. Every game matters in a division race and the the team cannot afford to keep losing close games such as this one. 

The bullpen was also the culprit in not picking up their starter. With everyone either taxed or ineffective, the Cubs called upon Hayden Wesneski for the rest of the game. Kyle Hendricks solid start on Sunday may have afforded the team to push Wesneski back into the bullpen.

He certainly did all he could after a two-run sixth inning, but the Cubs need a team effort from everyone else in the bullpen in such a critical game of the season.

Whats On Tap Next?

The Cubs will look to even up the series on Tuesday as RHP Jameson Taillon returns to the mound against LHP Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 6:20 PM CDT on Marquee Sports Network.