‘We’ve got to cash that win in’: Chicago Cubs bullpen blows a late 5-run lead to seal a sweep by the Houston Astros

Ten minutes separated the Chicago Cubs from the cusp of ending a season-high losing streak to their worst loss of the season.

A five-run lead entering the bottom of the eighth should have provided enough cushion for the Cubs to put away the Houston Astros. Instead they departed Minute Maid Park ahead of Thursday’s day off with a crushing 7-6 walk-off loss that raised more questions about how the Cubs bullpen can get on track.

The Cubs (19-24) head to Philadelphia, where they kick off the last leg of their three-city, nine-game trip Friday carrying a five-game losing streak.

“We’ve got to cash that win in,” manager David Ross said. “You’re trying to set guys up for success and match up things that go well, and it didn’t go well tonight. So you’ve got to look at it. Go back to the drawing board and continue to have those guys work.”

Mark Leiter Jr., pitching for the second time in 10 days, allowed two runs in the eighth and struck out three. Keegan Thompson was called on for the ninth against the Astros’ 7-8-9 hitters with a 6-3 lead.

Within three pitches, the Cubs advantage was whittled to a run courtesy of Jake Meyers’ two-run homer. A full-count walk to pinch hitter Mauricio Dubón ended Thompson’s night.

Thompson says he doesn’t feel any different from a season ago, when he posted a 1.47 ERA in 36 relief innings. As the Cubs try to maximize Thompson’s usage and how his body recovers after pitching, they have not yet been able to deploy him in the same manner.

All 12 of his 2022 relief appearances were at least two innings with the majority lasting three. Only six of his 15 outings this year have gone multiple innings.

For the Cubs bullpen to function within how it was built entering the season, they need the 2022 version of Thompson. Traffic on the bases has been a constant problem for the right-hander, even when he tosses zeroes.

Through 15 appearances, he has allowed at least one baserunner in all but one game. The lone exception came in his previous appearance Sunday in Minnesota.

Thompson doesn’t believe the quality of his stuff has been an issue.

“Things aren’t going my way right now,” he said. “Just had some hard contact today. It’s a punch in my gut. It just sucks to let the team down.

“I‘ve done the exact same stuff the whole time, and some of them haven’t been working out. It’s just tough to go through some of those hard times right now.”

Ross did not waste time getting Brandon Hughes up in the bullpen. The lefty began warming up after Astros catcher Yainer Díaz’s first-pitch leadoff single in the ninth. The prompt decision highlights the urgency of the moment and Ross knowing he needed to have a lefty ready for the top of the order, in preparation for Thompson facing the minimum three-batter requirement.

Hughes surrendered a double to Jeremy Pena and intentionally walked Alex Bregman to load the bases with nobody out. After getting a forceout at home, Hughes gave up Kyle Tucker’s walk-off, two-run single to center.

“The boys played well enough for a win and we didn’t do our job,” Hughes said, “so it hurts.”

The blown lead squandered Drew Smyly’s stellar outing in which he limited the Astros to one run in six innings. Seiya Suzuki (two home runs) and Christopher Morel (home run) led the offense.

“We’re just excited to get out of this city,” Smyly said. “I mean, we’ve seen enough of it. Ready to get home.”

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