The Cubs rewrote the history books with their 0-14 losing streak, setting a franchise record for most consecutive losses and a National League record for most consecutive losses at the start of a season.
Unbelievable.
“It’s something we can look back on and say, `OK, we lost 14 in a row, we’re in the record books,’ ” Mark Grace said. “I don’t think this (NL) record will ever be broken. You’ve got to play really bad to do that. I feel like a lot of the guys who have been here a while–Shawon (Dunston), Ryno (Ryne Sandberg), Rey Sanchez–we felt worse than anybody about this thing. We know we’re better baseball players than a 1-14 team. And for the first time, we actually got some breaks in a game.”
But the end of the streak doesn’t mean the Cubs have seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet. They’re still hitting only .189, despite a season-high 12 hits in Game 2. Even worse, the Cubs are hitting .162 with runners in scoring position.
Safe for another year: Former Baltimore manager Frank Robinson, who was at the helm for the final 15 losses of the ’88 Orioles’ 0-21 streak, was glad the Cubs didn’t break the all-time record. “I wasn’t rooting (for that),” Robinson said Sunday night. “I wouldn’t wish that on anybody because I know what that feels like. I was rooting for them to win a game.”
Missed opportunity: Closer Mel Rojas left the second game after pitching a third of an inning due to tightness in his right hamstring, denying him his first save chance in a Cubs uniform.
“Ticked me off,” Rojas said. “But it’s not pulled, so hopefully I can go (Monday).”
Larry Casian also was forced to leave the first game with a strained left groin.
Game 1 summary: The Cubs broke their all-time record for most consecutive losses in memorable fashion. It was tied at 2-2 in the third on Grace’s second home run when switch-hitter Carl Everett, hitting .077, hit a grand slam off Steve Trachsel. In his next at-bat, Everett, then hitting .111, hit a right-handed homer off Casian. Trachsel (0-3) lasted only two innings, giving up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks and raising his ERA to 7.71.
Strange days: When Dunston went from second to third on a sixth-inning double by Kevin Orie in Game 2, it was just another candidate for wacky Cub play of the month. The other contenders: April 1 at Miami, Florida’s Edgar Rentaria doubles on a bunt past Orie at third; April 16 at Wrigley Field, Colorado’s Quinton McCracken steals home after Tyler Houston drops strike three and chases Larry Walker down the line, leaving home plate uncovered. Still 10 games to go.
