Losing Ian Happ in the fourth inning was just one of many setbacks suffered Thursday by the Chicago Cubs, who wasted several opportunities in losing to the host Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-2, snapping a three-game winning streak.
The Cubs were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners after scoring 26 runs in the previous three games. Those shortcomings caught up with Alec Mills, who failed to pitch more than five innings for the second consecutive start.
Happ fouled a pitch that bounced off the plate and struck him above the right eye during an at-bat in the fourth inning. He left the game and was diagnosed with a bruise. X-rays were negative.
The third inning was a microcosm of the Cubs' problems. Happ's double advanced Jason Kipnis to third with no outs, but the Cubs managed only one run _ on a J.T. Riddle throwing error _ as Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber struck out in succession.
In the bottom of the inning, Erik Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly in which Happ made a diving catch to prevent an extra-base hit that would have scored another run. But Bryan Reynolds, a .192 hitter, smacked a low, inside breaking pitch well over the right-field wall for a three-run home run.
Mills has allowed eight runs on 11 hits in eight innings covering his last two starts.
Before Happ's injury, Victor Caratini hit a single and Kipnis followed with a double.
The sixth was just as maddening. Left-hander Sam Howard took over for starter J.T. Brukbaker, and manager David Ross stuck with left-handed hitters Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Kipnis with newcomer Jose Martinez, David Bote and Nico Hoerner available.
Schwarber opened the inning with a single, and Heyward hit a double. Martinez, pinch hitting for Caratini, drew a walk to load the bases.
But Kipnis, who had two hits but was 1 for 11 against left-handers this season, struck out. Maybin flied to left to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning, reliever Jason Adam walked leadoff batter Todd Frazier and threw to Kipnis instead of Baez, who was standing at second in anticipation of turning a double play.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo momentarily bobbled the ball settling for a force play at second instead of a double play.
Cole Tucker took advantage of the gaffes by hitting a two-run bloop single.
Before the game, the team said left-hander Jose Quintana will be examined by a team doctor Friday, two days after being diagnosed with left lat inflammation.
In addition, relievers Cody Allen and A.J. Ramos were released from the South Bend, Ind., alternate site. Outfielder Ian Miller and catcher Jose Phegley cleared waivers and were assigned outright to South Bend.
The Cubs open a five-game series Friday night against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, with Yu Darvish opposing Jack Flaherty.
