ATLANTA – Only five games into the season, the Chicago Cubs may already be pressing – especially when it’s time to turn to their bullpen.
The Atlanta Braves no longer have reason to press, thanks to two straight wins over the Cubs.
Johan Camargo hit a go-ahead, three-run double as the Braves took advantage of five walks by Cubs relievers in the eighth inning to beat Chicago 6-4 on Wednesday night.
Willson Contreras gave Chicago the lead with a long, two-run homer in the sixth. The Cubs’ much-criticized bullpen went wild in the eighth, though, and blew a 4-2 lead. It was Chicago’s third blown save this season and third loss by a relief pitcher in five games.
“We all want to get off to a good start,” Cubs starter Jon Lester said. “What we’re doing a little bit right now is maybe trying to press and do too much. Everybody is trying to come in, and whether it be a hitting situation or a pitching situation, and be the guy. That’s hard to do over 162 games.”