The Cubs fought back hard but fell a run short, losing 8-7 to the Pirates in a game that put Jameson Taillon’s rotation spot under the microscope. This wasn’t just a bad outing, it was another chapter in a season where Taillon got absolutely shelled, especially by the long ball.
The Long Ball Nightmare Continues
What are we even doing here? Taillon served up *three* home runs in this game alone, including a devastating grand slam by Ryan O’Hearn. That slam put the Pirates up 7-1, effectively sealing the Cubs’ fate early. Esmerlyn Valdez took Taillon deep to tie the game in the second, and Shawn Ross, in only his *second MLB game*, launched a two-run blast. This isn’t a new problem either. The long ball has been absolutely feasting on Taillon all year, with him giving up a staggering 25 home runs in just 76 innings. Only Jeffrey Springs of the A’s has given up more, and he’s thrown almost 27 more innings! That’s a brutal stat, no matter how you slice it.
Post-Injury Performance Is Not The Answer
After missing about six weeks with a hamstring injury, you’d hope for a bounce-back. Nope. Since his return, Taillon has made two starts, and they’ve both been terrible. Over those two outings, he’s managed only 8.1 innings, giving up 11 hits and 4 walks for a 1.800 WHIP. The real kicker? He’s allowed 11 earned runs for an astronomical 11.88 ERA and another 5 home runs. Five! In just over eight innings! It’s no wonder the Cubs have dropped seven of Taillon’s last eight starts. You cannot consistently win with those kinds of numbers from a starter.
Moments of Hope in the Chaos
Despite the pitching struggles, the Cubs did show some fight. Michael Conforto put on a clinic. He drew a walk in the second, then showcased a “nice swim move” slide to score on Dansby Swanson’s single for an early 1-0 lead. Conforto also made a stellar “nice catch” in the first, turning it into an easy inning-ending double play with Michael Busch. Plus, Pedro Ramirez’s second-inning single was a cool moment, tying the National League record for consecutive road games with a hit at 4,788. That’s a wild historical note, stretching back to a Sandy Koufax perfect game in 1965! The Yankees hold the big league record, but still, that’s some serious consistency.
The Cubs tried to rally, cutting the lead to one, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early onslaught. With Taillon’s ERA north of 11 since his return and that relentless home run problem, you have to wonder how long he stays in that rotation. Something has to change, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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