Cubs Blow 16th Save, Fall 7-6 to Giants on Monday

The Chicago Cubs lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend. They had momentum to get a first-game win in their series against the San Francisco Giants. However, a 16th blown save for the Cubs led to a heartbreaking loss on Monday night.

Tale of the Tape

With Javier Assad on the bump battling Jordan Hicks, the Cubs and Giants appeared in for quite the pitcher's duel. For the first three innings, both teams were held at bay despite some early baserunners.

In the top of the fourth, the Giants struck first. Following a Jorge Soler walk, Mike Yastrzemski tripled in the right-center gap to score the former Cub and give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Assad escaped the jam without any further damage.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Cubs had a good chance to add with Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner on base. Unfortunately, Dansby Swanson grounded out and ended the threat.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Cubs once again had a chance. A Patrick Wisdom walk and a Christopher Morel single set up runners at first and third. Cody Bellinger flew out to shallow right, and Wisdom tried to tag and score. Wisdom was gunned at the plate and although the Cubs challenged for blocking, the call stood.

A crazy sixth inning saw Hayden Wesneski escape a jam created by Luke Little. From there, the Cubs finally struck back. In the bottom of the sixth, Ian Happ grounded into a double play with Seiya Suzuki on. However, Nico Hoerner singled to keep hope alive. Then, Michael Busch launched a ball into the night to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.

Of course the Giants didn't go away. Heliot Ramos led off the seventh with a solo shot off of Wesneski, and the game was tied again. The Giants sent eight men to the plate, and scored a third run to take a 3-2 lead. Following the stretch, the Cubs needed to get something going.

In the bottom of the seventh, Wisdom and Bellinger reached. At second and first, respectively, Suzuki smacked a RBI double to tie the game and set up runners on second and third. Then, from the right side of the plate, Ian Happ sent a ball into orbit and subsequently sent Wrigley Field into hysteria as the Cubs led 6-3 following the three-run blast.

Naturally, the Giants weren't done. Patrick Bailey hit a solo home run in the eighth to make it a 6-4 game. The Cubs failed to add entering the ninth with the lead. Hector Neris came in with a lead, looking to capture the save. But, things didn't go according to plan.

A Soler reach on catcher's interference and a Yastrzemski walk set up two men on for Thairo Estrada. The second baseman hit his ninth home run of the season to put the Giants ahead 7-6. A deafening silence fell on Wrigley Field. After escaping the inning, the Cubs were booed off the field. The Cubs ultimately fell 7-6 in what might be considered the most frustrating loss of the season.

The Bats Showed Up... The Pen? Not So Much

Usually, six runs is adequate to win a ballgame, especially for the Cubs. The offense has been quiet, but a big offensive performance on Monday was encouraging. However, as one part of the team wakes up, another falters, leading to a loss. The bullpen gave up six of the seven Giants runs on their way to the loss.

When will things change? Who knows. This Cubs team is fractured, broken, and downright disappointing. The team's 16th blown save of the season is crippling their chances to play meaningful baseball late in the year.

The front office and ownership should feel the pressure. If this team does not improve, things will get really ugly on the North side of Chicago.

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs will try to rebound on Tuesday with Justin Steele on the bump. The Giants will trot out their ace, Logan Webb, to duel with Steele. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT from Wrigley Field. Will the Cubs be able to rebound? We'll just have to wait and see.

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube , and the Cubs On Tap podcast and Dingers: A Chicago Cubs Podcast for more Chicago Cubs content, updates, and hot takes!