Cubs' losing streak reaches four after rare misplay by second baseman Nico Hoerner – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Atlanta – A single underhand flip gone wrong proved costly for the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Second baseman Nico Hoerner’s rare misplay opened the door for the Atlanta Braves to break a 1-1 tie and claim a 4-1 victory at Truist Park. The defeat pushed the Cubs to their first four-game losing streak of the 2026 season.
The Play That Turned the Game
With the score knotted in the eighth inning, Hoerner fielded a slow roller hit by Michael Harris II. Instead of transferring the ball to his throwing hand, he attempted a glove flip toward first baseman Michael Busch. The throw sailed high and over Busch’s head, allowing Harris to reach safely and ignite the Braves’ rally. Manager Craig Counsell called the play tough yet one his second baseman believed he should have converted. Hoerner later acknowledged the mistake came from misreading the timing and relying too heavily on instinct. The official scorer credited Harris with a hit, but the damage was done as the Cubs’ lead evaporated.
Imanaga’s Effort Falls Short
Starter Shota Imanaga kept the Braves in check for most of the night, retiring the side in order during five of his seven-plus innings. He issued no walks and allowed only five hits, including a 402-foot home run by Drake Baldwin in the fourth. Imanaga noted afterward that preventing any runs would have left the Cubs in position to win. Despite the strong line, the left-hander took the loss once the bullpen faltered. The outing highlighted both his command and the thin margin for error in close contests.
Braves Bullpen Closes It Out
Reliever Phil Maton entered and surrendered a tiebreaking double to pinch hitter Mike Yastrzemski. Mauricio Dubon followed with a two-run homer into the left-field seats, pushing the lead to three runs. Raisel Iglesias, still unscored upon this season, recorded his eighth save by retiring the Cubs in order in the ninth. The Braves became the first major-league team to reach 30 wins. Their bullpen has now held Chicago to two singles across 10 scoreless innings in the past two days.
Cubs Look to Add Bullpen Depth
The club signed veteran reliever Liam Hendriks to a minor-league contract. The 37-year-old, who overcame Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, will begin his assignment at the team’s facility in Mesa, Arizona, before a possible move to Triple-A Iowa. Counsell described the move as an opportunity to add proven experience to the roster. The signing comes as the Cubs seek ways to stabilize their pitching staff during the current skid. Hendriks’ track record as a closer offers a potential boost if he regains form. The Cubs have scored just three runs across the four losses, leaving them searching for answers as the series continues.
