Imanaga's rough outing against Reds
Shota Imanaga allowed three home runs in Sunday night's 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, marking the sixth time this season he has given up at least three in a game. The outing was also the shortest regular-season start of his three-year MLB career, coming a week after he lasted just over two innings in Seattle.
Imanaga allowed a three-run homer to Héctor Rodríguez in the fourth inning, a solo shot to Dane Myers, and a two-run homer to Tyler Stephenson in the fifth. The Reds took a 6-3 lead in the fifth, and the Cubs' late rally fell short.
"He gave up three homers, and two had men on base," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "The math doesn't really work there as far as having a good start."
Counsell defends Imanaga
Despite the recurring home run problems, Counsell dismissed any suggestion that Imanaga's rotation spot is in jeopardy.
"He's not having a bad season," Counsell said. "He's having a pretty decent season. I wouldn't say that at all, no. We need Shota. We need Shota to be good for us. So we have to work at helping him be better."
Imanaga acknowledged his struggles, speaking through a translator: "The mistake pitches that I can't throw end up in zones that they're going to hit. And here, those swings don't end up in singles; those end up in home runs. There's a lot of frustration within myself. But I need to be the one to figure it out."
Counsell added that Imanaga's tendency to allow home runs is part of his repertoire, but three in a start is "too many."
Crow-Armstrong shines in loss
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two home runs for the Cubs, including a leadoff homer and a ninth-inning solo shot. His 38 home runs tie Kyle Schwarber (2019) for second-most by a left-handed hitter in a season in Cubs history; Billy Williams holds the franchise record with 42 in 1970.
Hall of Fame inductions and roster moves
Before the game, former Cubs catcher Jody Davis and pitcher Jon Lester were inducted into the Cubs' Hall of Fame in pregame ceremonies, receiving their blue jackets.
The Cubs also released 2020 first-round pick Ed Howard from Triple-A Iowa and designated Hoby Milner for assignment on Saturday. Right-hander Edward Cabrera, who has a blister, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
Standing in the playoff race
The loss left the Cubs eight games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central before the teams begin a four-game series at Wrigley Field on Monday. The Cubs are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top NL wild-card spot, though the Cubs hold the tiebreaker after winning six of seven matchups.