Jacob Webb did not try to hide from another painful collapse Tuesday night.
The Chicago Cubs closer took responsibility after the Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a 4-3 walk-off victory, admitting he is tired of putting his team in difficult positions during a troubling stretch for the bullpen.
“I’m tired of letting the team down to be completely honest,” Webb told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “It’s pretty tough to watch every time I give up a homer. It’s piss-poor.”
Webb entered the ninth inning with Chicago one out away from securing a crucial victory. Instead, Jackson Chourio launched a game-tying two-run homer with two outs, sending the game to extra innings.
Milwaukee finished the comeback in the 10th when Luis Lara delivered a walk-off RBI single.
The loss marked the second straight game in which the Cubs surrendered a late lead to their division rivals. It also continued a difficult stretch for Webb, who had been one of Chicago’s most dependable relievers for much of the season.
Webb allowed two runs on two hits, including the homer, while striking out one in his one inning of work. He entered the night with 67 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA across 61.2 innings in 63 appearances.
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The Cubs remain in the postseason picture at 81-64, but their position behind Milwaukee has become increasingly difficult. The Brewers improved to 89-56 and opened an eight-game lead over Chicago in the NL Central.
Manager Craig Counsell has continued to back his bullpen, but the recent results are becoming harder to overlook. Chicago cannot afford repeated late-game failures with the postseason approaching.
For Webb, the immediate challenge is more personal. His willingness to own the latest mistake showed how much the struggles are weighing on him.
Now the Cubs need their closer to put the disappointment behind him and regain the form that made him such a trusted option earlier this season.
