Jacob Webb, the Cubs’ most reliable late-inning pitcher, finally slipped up on Saturday night. This was not a small mistake. It was a walk-off loss that ended a massive streak of perfect relief work. Randy Arozarena launched a ball that sailed well beyond Pete Crow-Armstrong’s reach, sealing a 5-4 defeat for the North Siders. The last out simply slipped out of Webb’s grasp as the Mariners celebrated their win. This moment stands out because Webb had not surrendered a single run since June 20, according to MLB.com Cubs. That is a very long time for a pitcher to hold the line.
A Perfect Run Finally Breaks
Before this bad night, Webb had gone 24 straight appearances without allowing a run. He covered 24 2/3 innings in that span while lowering his season ERA to 2.21. Heading into Saturday, the right-hander had not given up a run since June 20, per MLB.com Cubs. He had evolved into one of manager Craig Counsell’s most trusted high-leverage arms. While injuries and other complications posed a risk to the bullpen’s stability at different stages this season, Webb stayed a consistent anchor for the unit. Consequently, he secured the majority of the closing assignments. Now, that flawless record is gone.
Webb admitted the error was simple. He said, “Just some poor execution on my part,” when asked about the play. He explained he was trying to see if he could get a swing at it but just left it up a little bit. It was a rare moment of bad luck or poor mechanics for a pitcher who has been so solid. The team must now look forward. The North Siders are leading the National League Wild Card field, but they sit six back of the Brewers in the NL Central. One loss does not fix that gap, but it does stop the momentum.
Teammates Stand By Their Closer
Lefty David Peterson, who started Saturday for the Cubs, knows how rare this streak was. He was acquired by Chicago on June 25 and has watched Webb work. Peterson said, “He’s been unbelievable,” regarding the reliever’s performance. He also noted, “I think this might be the first little bump in the road for him since I’ve been here.” Peterson believes this stumble is just part of the game. He added, “It’s going to happen, but it doesn’t take away from how good of a pitcher he is, how good he’s been for this team, and how good and important he’s going to be going forward.”
The Cubs have seen Webb bounce back from tough times before. Before Saturday’s events, Webb had said he would go “back to the drawing board” following a tough five-game stretch. He has shown he can fix things quickly. Watching a guy like Webby deal with this pressure is part of what makes him valuable. The team needs him to be that steady hand again. The season is far from over, and the Wild Card race remains tight. Webb will need to turn the page fast. The next game starts soon.
