Athletics 5, Cubs 3: Hey, remember all those bullpen meltdowns?

A's win fourth straight as bullpen bounces back

Cubs' bullpen struggles continue in loss to Athletics

The Athletics won their fourth straight game on Tuesday night, defeating the Cubs 5-3 at Wrigley Field. The A's bullpen, which had been struggling mightily in recent weeks, bounced back in a big way, allowing just one run on two hits over the final four innings. The Cubs' bullpen, on the other hand, continued to struggle. After starter Kyle Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits over five innings, the Cubs' bullpen gave up three runs on four hits in just two innings. The A's took an early lead in the game, scoring two runs off Hendricks in the first inning. Matt Olson singled in the first run, and Ramon Laureano doubled in the second. The Cubs cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning on a solo home run by Kyle Schwarber. But the A's added to their lead with a run in the second inning on a groundout by Elvis Andrus. The Cubs scored again in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Patrick Wisdom, but the A's answered right back with a run in the fifth inning on a single by Olson. The A's bullpen then took over the game, allowing just one hit over the final four innings. Lou Trivino pitched a perfect seventh inning, and Sergio Romo pitched a perfect eighth inning. Jake Diekman allowed a single to Nico Hoerner in the ninth inning, but he struck out the next three batters to end the game. The win was the A's fourth straight and improved their record to 44-43. The Cubs lost their fourth straight game and dropped to 41-46. The A's will face the Cubs again on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. A's starter Cole Irvin will face Cubs starter Marcus Stroman.