Cubs' momentum halted by uncharacteristic outings

CHICAGO -- The baseball that left Connor Wong’s bat in the fifth inning on Sunday initially struck the dirt in front of home plate at Wrigley Field. It’s next destination was the infield dirt in front of Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner, who was in position to get his glove on the chopper.

“Definitely a play I make almost every time,” Hoerner said.

Almost every time. This proved to be that rare exception, and it proved costly.

The cruel catalyst in the Cubs’ 11-5 loss to the Red Sox was a ball that took a sharp, last-second hop that eluded Hoerner’s grasp and rolled into shallow left field. It opened the door just enough for Boston to get things rolling before Masataka Yoshida kicked the thing off its hinges with a grand slam off All-Star Justin Steele.

A five-run outburst against Steele in the fifth, combined with an absence of offense against Red Sox righty Kutter Crawford, swiftly undid all those good vibes generated by Saturday’s 10-4 Cubs romp. The defeat once again brought the stress of the looming Trade Deadline back to the surface for a Chicago team sitting in the outskirts of the October picture.

“We’ve got to play good baseball, right?” Cubs manager David Ross said. “The guy today had our number -- we didn’t get much going offensively.”

The Cubs came out of the break with reliable starters Kyle Hendricks, Marcus Stroman and Steele lined up for the Boston series, and the North Siders came away with one win. Before the series began, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer noted the need to avoid overreacting to each win or loss, while also making it clear the next two weeks are crucial for deciding the team’s second-half path.

With the division-leading Brewers beating the Reds on Sunday, the Cubs now sit eight games back of first in the National League Central. Hoerner reiterated that the players in the clubhouse need to maintain a steady focus with their preparation and play without letting outside noise enter into the equation.

“It’s real for every team,” Hoerner said. “July is a month that does come with other factors, between the break and the Trade Deadline. Those things can change things, for sure, but I think there’s no change as far as how you play or how you approach it.

“I think if anything, the attitude should just be attacking it, embracing it and doing it on our own terms.”

Hoerner has been one of Chicago’s most trustworthy players and a leader behind the scenes, but a momentary lapse can arrive for anyone. That -- as those around the game love to repeat -- is baseball. Even a sure-handed, Gold Glove-caliber fielder like Hoerner can misplay a grounder.

“You take the field and things like that can happen,” Hoerner said. “That was kind of the turning point in the game.”

Hoerner played shortstop at an elite level last season, recording 13 Outs Above Average at the position, per Statcast. Only Dansby Swanson (22) had more in the Majors. Of course, the Cubs signed Swanson to a seven-year deal over the winter. At the moment, he is sidelined with a heel injury, meaning Hoerner is back at his old spot rather than second base.

While filling in for Swanson, Hoerner has made a series of highlight-reel plays, reminding observers that he is more than capable on either side of the bag. That is what made the Wong grounder -- deemed a double rather than an error -- so surprising.

“It shouldn’t be earned runs for Steele, for sure,” Hoerner said. “That’s an error.”

Steele was charged with six earned runs on 10 hits in his six innings of work.

“The ball to Nico, he makes that play 99 out of a 100 times,” Ross agreed. “That’s a pretty routine play in the big leagues. You get that out and who knows where the game goes?”

The Red Sox responded with three consecutive singles off Steele, who found himself facing a bases-loaded jam with no outs. He put his usual poise on display over the next two batters, striking out the hot-hitting Rafael Devers and following that up with a popup off the bat of Adam Duvall.

That set the stage for Yoshida, who watched two of Steele’s pitches tail outside for balls. Not wanting to slip further behind, the Cubs lefty returned with a fastball that over the heart of the plate. The Boston outfielder ripped it out to right field, where it came to rest in Wrigley’s famous basket.

“Nico plays Gold Glove defense,” Steele said. “I feel like he can play any position on the field. That’s the kind of confidence I have in him.”