The Chicago Cubs offense is stuck in a deep freeze. Will they be able to get out of this soon?

Michael Johnson and Associated Press

12 minutes ago

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell watches from the dugout during a game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA — Two games into their three-game series in Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs are still looking for their first run.

The Cubs’ offense remained hamstrung Tuesday night against the powerful Braves, who cruised to a 7-0 victory after opening the series Monday night with a 2-0 win. The Cubs only managed eight hits in the first two games of the series.

The Cubs haven’t scored since Mike Tauchman came home on a passed ball in the top of the 10th inning in Sunday’s 5-4 win at Pittsburgh.

The series concludes Wednesday night in Atlanta, which also ends the Cubs’ six-game road trip. They are 2-3 after taking two of three from the Pirates and losing the first two to the Braves. Chicago also fell 1.5 games behind Milwaukee for first place in the National League Central standings after the Brewers won Tuesday night.

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for seven games against the same two teams they faced on the road trip, four against the Pirates from Thursday through Sunday and three more against the Braves next week.

Bad round for Taillon

Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon started for the first time in 10 days Tuesday night. He allowed a run in the bottom of the first, but mostly went three innings until a tough fourth.

Taillon’s defensive error on Orlando Arcia’s grounder helped set up the Braves’ six-run inning, including a solo shot by Michael Harris II and a three-run home run by Matt Olson who opened the match making the score 7-0.

Five of the Braves’ fourth-period points were unearned. Taillon (3-1) allowed seven runs, including two earned, in four innings.

“I felt good about things, but the fourth inning got away from me,” he said, adding, “I don’t think I have to think too much about it.”

Cruise sales

Olson drove in four runs total and former White Sox All-Star Chris Sale pitched two hits in seven innings for Atlanta, which won six of seven. The Cubs were held to three hits by Sale and relievers Aaron Bummer and Jackson Stephens.

Olson said he needed to relax after entering the game with a .209 batting average.

“I just squeaked a little bit and started to get tense,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to relax a little and trust him. »

Sale (6-1) had nine strikeouts, his third straight start with at least nine, and didn’t walk anyone. The right-hander won his fifth straight start.

Harris started the fourth with his fourth home run and his first since April 19. Olson, who doubled a run in the first, added a three-run shot, his fifth.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said he wasn’t concerned about Harris’ drought or Olson’s slow start.

“That’s good, it was going to happen,” Snitker said. “These guys are all going to do it one day or another.”

Cubs right-hander Tyson Miller pitched two scoreless innings in his debut after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners for minor league infielder Jake Slaughter. Left-hander Richard Lovelady has been designated to earn a spot on the 40-man roster.

Trainers’ room

Small: SS Nico Hoerner was scratched by a tight left hamstring. “I wasn’t in a good position to play (Tuesday), but we’re going to come back (Wednesday),” Hoerner said, adding that he had “a little bit of concern” with the hamstring heading into Tuesday. … DH Christopher Morel started after leaving Monday night’s game in the ninth inning with left foot soreness, but had the same foot hit by a Sale pitch in the first inning. Morel stayed in the game.

Following

RHP Javier Assad (3-0, 1.70 ERA) is expected to start for the Cubs in the series finale Wednesday night.

RHP Charlie Morton (3-0, 3.14) is expected to start for Atlanta. He will make his first start against the Cubs since July 28, 2016, when he was with the White Sox.

The first pitch is scheduled for 6:20 p.m.