June 28, 2017

Chicago Sun-Times, Max Scherzer vs. Jake Arrieta? No comparison on this night http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/max-scherzer-vs-jake-arrieta-no-comparison-on-this-night/

Chicago Sun-Times, Party lines drawn? Not all Cubs eager to visit Trump White House http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/clubhouse-divided-not-all-cubs-eager-to-visit-trump-white-house/

Chicago Sun-Times, Maddon on Anthony Rizzo at leadoff all year: ‘We don’t have Lou Brock’ http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/maddon-on-anthony-rizzo-at-leadoff-all-year-we-dont-have-lou-brock/

Chicago Sun-Times, Championship Cubs to make second White House visit; Obama, now Trump http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-to-make-second-white-house-visit-obama-now-trump/

Daily Herald, Cubs catcher Montero blames Arrieta for Nationals' 7 stolen bases http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170627/cubs-catcher-montero-blames-arrieta-for-nationals-7-stolen-bases

Daily Herald, Maddon, some Cubs to informally visit White House again http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170627/maddon-some-cubs-to-informally-visit-white-house-again

Cubs.com, Sloppy game out of character for Arrieta, Cubs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239182710/cubs-sloppy-in-loss-to-nationals/

Cubs.com, Cubs can't control Nats' running game in loss http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239081014/max-scherzer-7-steals-lead-nationals-vs-cubs/

Cubs.com, Maddon leading Cubs back to White House http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239095064/cubs-joe-maddon-to-return-to-white-house/

Cubs.com, Cubs look to back Lackey, gain edge vs. Nats http://atmlb.com/2sm1BlS

Cubs.com, Hendricks throwing, targets post-break return http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/239097218/cubs-kyle-hendricks-resumes-throwing-program/

Cubs.com, Cubs scout Lockhart thankful for support for son http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/238899960/keith-lockharts-son-in-recovery-from-accident/

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs C Miguel Montero calls out SP Jake Arrieta for Nats' 7 stolen bases http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19754861/cubs-c-miguel-montero-calls-jake-arrieta-nats-7-stolen-bases

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs' Joe Maddon visiting White House 'out of respect to the office' http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44739/cubs-joe-maddon-visiting-white-house-out-of-respect-to-the-office

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Catcher Miguel Montero Drops Truth Bomb, Throws Jake Arrieta Under The Bus After Nationals Run Wild http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-catcher-miguel-montero-drops-truth-bomb-throws-jake-arrieta-under-bus-after-nationals-run-wild

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Vs. Nationals Makes It Obvious: Jake Arrieta Is No Max Scherzer http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-vs-nationals-makes-it-obvious-jake-arrieta-no-max-scherzer

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Will Make Statement With Trip To Donald Trump's White House http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-will-make-statement-trip-donald-trumps-white-house

Chicago Tribune, At 7-6 with 4.76 ERA, Jake Arrieta says 'I’m not where I want to be' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-jake-arrieta-inconsistent-first-half-20170628-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp2

Chicago Tribune, Miguel Montero shifts blame to pitchers after Nationals steal seven bases http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-nationals-spt-0628-20170627-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp2

Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon on visit to White House: 'Easy to say 'yes' out of respect to the office' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-white-house-20170627-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp3

Chicago Tribune, Iowa hitting coaches helped get reliever Justin Grimm back on track http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-justin-grimm-rebirth-cubs-notes-spt-0628-20170627-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Max Scherzer and Nationals zoom past Cubs 6-1 to even up series http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-max-scherzer-sullivan-cubs-nationals-spt-0628-20170627-column.html

-- Chicago Sun-Times Max Scherzer vs. Jake Arrieta? No comparison on this night By Gordon Wittenmyer WASHINGTON — Maybe the Cubs are going to have to do it this year without Jake Arrieta. Arrieta, who didn’t get out of the fifth inning in a 6-1 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday night, said he -believes he’ll get back to the form that has been a key to turning the Cubs into a major-league force the last two years. But for now he’s coming off a six-walk start in which the Nationals stole a club-record seven bases against him. His ERA is up to 4.67 at the halfway mark in his season. And he’s winless in five starts against the best four teams he has faced: Boston, Colorado (twice), the Dodgers and the Nationals. He has allowed 27 runs in 26 „ innings in those starts and pitched more than 4 „ innings in only one of them. “Not where I want to be, obviously,” said Arrieta, who quickly gave back a 1-0 lead in the first against the top starter he has faced this year, Max Scherzer. “But try and move forward and just be better. My last start [a seven-inning victory in Miami] was more indicative of the way I’d like to throw as far as commanding the strike zone and forcing contact early in the count. They made it tough on me tonight.” So did the six walks. “There’s no excuse,” he said.

And so did Nats leadoff man Trea Turner, who turned a leadoff single in the first and walk in the third into six bases with four steals — and scored each time. The stolen bases proved to be contentious when catcher Miguel Montero fumed after the game about Arrieta’s inability to hold runners. Arrieta, who had statistically the best 20-game finish in major-league history in 2015 and who won two road games in last year’s World Series, said he’s confident he can -return to that kind of form this year. “No question about it,” he said. But as he continued an up-and-down trend toward this year’s free agency, the comparisons to Scherzer that their agent, Scott Boras, keeps making seem to be fading. Less than a month ago, Boras compared Arrieta’s season to Scherzer’s walk year of 2014 and said, “Jake is throwing at frankly better levels than what Scherzer did,” Boras said the last week of May. Scherzer, who actually performed better most of that season, signed a then-record, seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals that offseason. On Tuesday, Arrieta faced Scherzer for the second time in his career. Scherzer, who allowed just two hits and the two-out run in the first in six innings, also beat Arrieta and the Orioles in their first meeting four years ago this month. “I can pitch at his level,” Arrieta said. “I just haven’t done it consistently. He’s been very good, obviously, throughout his career. It’s been up and down [for me]. I’ve had a couple good ones, a bad one, a couple good ones, a bad one. “I’d like to be more consistent throughout. I just haven’t been able to do that the way I would like. But I’ll beat myself up tonight and put in some work and be better next time.” The blister problem that shortened two of Arrieta’s last three outings was not a problem Tuesday. “Overall, they didn’t bludgeon him,” manager Joe Maddon said. “It was just a non Cub-like game on the infield today that led to that. They took advantage of the running game and they took advantage of some mistakes we made.” The Cubs fell back to just one game over .500 with the loss, staying one game behind first-place -Milwaukee, which also lost, in the NL Central. -- Chicago Sun-Times Party lines drawn? Not all Cubs eager to visit Trump White House By Gordon Wittenmyer WASHINGTON – Cubs players and coaches are anything but unified in their desires and efforts to visit the Trump White House on Wednesday, just five months after almost all of the team attended a more formal championship ceremony at the Obama White House. The afternoon schedule of Wednesday’s event, which makes it too late for some early scheduled work, played a role in some of the decisions not to attend. But personal feelings also seemed to play a role in several cases when it came to one of the most polarizing presidents of the past century. “I’m going because it’s the United States of America, and I’d rather not live anywhere else except this country,” said first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who was the player rep who addressed the media in January after the Obama visit. “It’s an honor. No political ties. It’s the White House.”

Of the 22 players surveyed before the game, 10 planned to skip Wednesday’s event. Only four current players who were on the World Series roster missed the trip in January: Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Jon Lester and Hector Rondon. And at least five other 2016 players who were not on the Series roster attended. Arrieta, who pitched Tuesday night, and Rondon aren’t going this time, either. “I prefer to stay in my room, get rest and get prepared for the game,” Rondon said. Lackey said he plans to go Wednesday but declined to discuss it further. “I’m not saying anything political for a quote,” he said. Said Jason Heyward, who won’t be there Wednesday after going in January: “Some guys didn’t go last time. Some guys aren’t going this time.” He declined to elaborate. “I just don’t feel like I want to go,” said reliever Pedro Strop, who went in January. But Albert Almora Jr. isn’t missing the chance for a second trip: “I just look at it as it’s not every day you get to meet the President of the United States. And in a year I get to meet two.” Justin Grimm said he would go if he didn’t have family in town. Mike Montgomery called it “maybe a little disrespectful to turn it down.” Addison Russell said he’s not going. Why? “We already went this year,” he said. And reliever Carl Edwards Jr. opted to see other sights around the city, instead. “I’m trying to go see like the dinosaur museums,” he said. Manager Joe Maddon said he has no problems with any player’s individual decision. “I don’t have any rules to begin with,” he said. “I just want you to run hard to first base. As long as you run hard to first base, they can make up their own mind whether they want to go to the White House or not.” Maddon said if a team such as the NBA-champion Warriors decline an invitation it would “absolutely” be a political statement but dismissed the Cubs’ visit as a political endorsement. “To go [Wednesday] is out of respect to the Ricketts family and to the office and the building itself,” he said. “Listen, I like the United States a lot. I like living here a lot. I like everything that it that it represents a lot. When you get a chance as a citizen to get to go to the White House, you go. Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts arranged the visit with President Trump. “And whether you like that person that’s running the country or not, out of respect to the office itself you go. I don’t agree with all the other banter that’s going on right now because I have a different perspective. I would much prefer living here than some of the other places that adopt different methods of government. “I think sometimes that gets confused when people want to take a stand [without] realizing actually what we have here, which is a lot better than most everyplace else.” --

Chicago Sun-Times Maddon on Anthony Rizzo at leadoff all year: ‘We don’t have Lou Brock’ By Gordon Wittenmyer WASHINGTON — Cubs manager Joe Maddon didn’t rule out having Anthony Rizzo finish out the rest of the season as his regular leadoff hitter. After a one-day switch to Willson Contreras against problematic left-hander Gio Gonzalez, Maddon had Rizzo right back at the top of the lineup Tuesday against Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Rizzo was hit by a pitch leading off the game and scored the game’s first run. “We don’t have Lou Brock. We don’t have Rickey Henderson or Maury Wills,” Maddon said. “So we’re trying to get the best we can with what we have, which I’m very happy with. Willie did a nice job [Monday]. Rizz has done a nice job.” Rizzo has reached safely in eight of 12 times leading off games, including three homers. He entered Tuesday 14-for-42 (.333) since making the move on June 13, with four homers, six walks and a 1.114 OPS. Contreras, the eighth leadoff man used this year, homered leading off Monday’s victory. “I want to see [Kyle Schwarber] get back on track, and when he comes back up [from the minors], ‘What does he look like and what does it mean?’ ’’ Maddon said. “And if somebody else among this group all of a sudden ascended to the point where you’d like to put them there and move Rizz back, [then we’ll do that]. And say Rizz just all of a sudden doesn’t do well there and gets cold, get him out of there. “I’m just trying to match our best up with what the other team’s doing and trying to get our best hitters in the first three or four slots on a nightly basis.” Hendricks update After another pain-free day of throwing Tuesday, Kyle Hendricks (finger) could be ready for full-strength bullpen sessions by next week and, barring a setback, a brief minor-league rehab assignment by the following week. That could put him on pace for a return from the disabled list during the first road trip out of the All-Star break. “My arm feels great. It feels normal to throw, and I feel no pain in my finger,” said Hendricks, who has been on the DL since June 5 with tendinitis in the back of his right middle finger. He has played catch since Saturday with a protective tape on the finger preventing overextension. Tuesday was the first day of throwing in which he took the tape off for the final few throws. He expects to shed the tape by the end of the week. This and that Ben Zobrist tested his left wrist swinging a bat again Tuesday, and for the second consecutive day it went well. “He’ll try the same routine [Wednesday], and then we’ll assess,” Maddon said. Zobrist has been on the DL since June 13. — The Nationals stole a club-record seven bases against Jake Arrieta and Miguel Montero Tuesday, all coming in the first four innings, including four by Trea Turner. --

Chicago Sun-Times Championship Cubs to make second White House visit; Obama, now Trump By Lynn Sweet and Gordon Wittenmyer WASHINGTON — The Cubs brought their World Series trophy to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and will lug it to the White House on Wednesday for a private meeting with President Donald Trump, more low-key than the televised love fest former President Barack Obama squeezed in before leaving office. The Cubs are here for a four-game series with the NationaIs. Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts told the Chicago Sun-Times, “I think the president just knew that we all were going to be here going to baseball games and thought it would be fun to come up and have an unofficial visit with the team.” The Trump visit “is going to be more social and unofficial and not like the last time,” he said. “. . . This is a little more low key and it’s more of a friendly visit that what we did before, which was super awesome.” A White House spokesman, Helen Ferre, said the Cubs meeting with Trump will be closed to the press. Todd Ricketts, a Cubs board member, was tapped by Trump to be the Deputy Commerce Secretary, only to withdraw his nomination in April, unable to untangle his complex finances. White House sports team visits sometimes get tangled up in the politics of the players – and the president. A Sun-Times poll of 22 of the 27 Cubs players, taken in the visiting team clubhouse on Tuesday before the second game with the Nats, revealed that 12 will go to the White House and ten said they are declining the invitation. Obama, who took a day off from being a White Sox fan, gave a rousing official White House welcome to the Cubs on Jan. 16, four days before the Chicago president left office. The celebration was jammed with Chicagoans overjoyed at the Cubs winning their first World Series since 1908. The tradition of a president inviting championship teams to the White House is one that Trump seems to be continuing. Still, it is very unusual for a team to be honored twice – even though the second shot is billed as “unofficial.” In this case, the Ricketts family are mega donors to Republican candidates and causes – except for Cubs co-owner Laura, who is a big Democratic contributor and fund-raiser. The mother of a son born earlier this month, she is remaining at home. GOP Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, another Cubs co-owner – who did not make the Obama White House celebration – will be at the White House on Wednesday. Hundreds of fans posed for pictures with the trophy in a Senate meeting room. The Ricketts brought the trophy to Illinois Democrats Sens. Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Mike Quigley plus GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan R-Wisc. *** *** *** Cubs manager Joe Maddon was reminded of the speculation that the NBA-champion Warriors might decline a visit to the Trump White House as a protest against his presidency and dismissed the idea that the Cubs’ trip amounted to an endorsement. “To go [Wednesday] is out of respect to the Ricketts family and to the office and the building itself,” he said. “Listen, I like the United States a lot. I like living here a lot. I like everything that it that it represents a lot. When you get a chance as a citizen to get to go to the White House, you go.

“And whether you like that person that’s running the country or not, out of respect to the office itself you go. I don’t agree with all the other banter that’s going on right now because I have a different perspective. I would much prefer living here than some of the other places that adopt different methods of government. “I think sometimes that gets confused when people want to take a stand [without] realizing actually what we have here, which is a lot better than most everyplace else.” First baseman Anthony Rizzo said, “I’m going because it’s the United States of America and I’d rather not (be) anywhere else but this country. There’s no political ties. It’s the White House.” Pitcher Pedro Strop said, “I just didn’t feel like I want to go.” -- Daily Herald Cubs catcher Montero blames Arrieta for Nationals' 7 stolen bases By Bruce Miles WASHINGTON -- This was billed as a pitching matchup between the most recent two Cy Young Award winners in the National League. What it turned into was a track meet, with the Washington Nationals running all over pitcher Jake Arrieta, catcher Miguel Montero and the Chicago Cubs. The Nationals, taking advantage of a Cubs battery not exactly charged to limit the running game, stole seven bases without being caught once in the first four innings on the way to a 6-1 victory at Nationals Park. Montero is 0-for-31 in throwing out runners this year, but he blamed his batterymates. "It really (stinks) because the stolen bases go with me," he said. "When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time. "So it's like, 'Yeah, Miggy can't throw nobody out, but my pitchers don't hold anybody on … If I don't get a chance to throw, that's the reason they were running left and right today because they know he (Arrieta) was slow to the plate. Simple as that. "It's a shame that it's my fault because I didn't throw anybody out." Montero was asked if he talked to Arrieta about it. "We talk every year in spring training, but it's frustrating because it seems like nobody really cares about it, like, 'OK, I got to pitch, and if they run, they run. I don't care,' " he said. Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer, last year's Cy Young winner in the NL, had a decidedly better night than Arrieta, the 2015 recipient. Arrieta lasted just 4-plus innings as his record fell to 7-6 and his ERA rose from 4.36 to 4.67. He gave up 6 hits and 6 runs (5 earned) while walking six. He also uncorked a wild pitch. Scherzer pitched 6 innings, and when he left the game, he had as many hits at the plate as the Cubs did as a team: 2. Most troubling for the Cubs had to be the Nationals' unbridled running game. Trea Turner stole a pair of bases in the first and third innings, scoring each time. Anthony Rendon had 1 steal, and Michael A. Taylor had 2. There looked to be little the Cubs could do about any of it.

"When Turner's on the bag, you try and be mindful of that," Arrieta said. "Pick, vary your holds. He's fast." The Arrieta-Scherzer matchup was supposed to be one more interesting part of a four-game series that could possibly be a playoff preview. "Not where I want to be, obviously," Arrieta said. "Just move forward and try to be better. Last start (in Miami) was more indicative of the way I'd like to throw as far as commanding the strike zone." As for Scherzer, he improved to 9-5 with a 2.05 ERA. "I can pitch at his level," Arrieta said of Scherzer. "I just haven't done it consistently. He's been very good, obviously, throughout his career. It's been up and down. I've had a couple good ones, a bad one, a couple good ones, a bad one." -- Daily Herald Maddon, some Cubs to informally visit White House again By Bruce Miles WASHINGTON -- It won't be anything quite as formal as what happened in January, but Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon and some of the team people will make another White House visit Wednesday. The World Series trophy was on Capitol Hill Tuesday, with Cubs board members Tom and Todd Ricketts meeting with Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. In January, the Cubs and a throng of Chicago media went to the White House as then-President Barack Obama saluted the 2016 World Series champions. "It's not as ceremonial as the last one was, going there as the World Series champions," Maddon said. "It's more based on the Ricketts family relationship and the Cubs going to the White House tomorrow. "Whatever Mr. Ricketts (chairman Tom) would like me to do, I'm going to do. Mr. Ricketts and the Ricketts family has been good to all of us. So part of that is that. The other part is whenever you have a chance to go to the White House, I think it's easy to say yes out of respect to the office and the building itself." Player participation is voluntary, as Maddon says he has no rules. Maddon was asked if teams that would refuse to go to the White House to meet President Donald Trump were making a political statement. "If they're going to say no, then it absolutely is," he said. "To go tomorrow is out of respect to the Ricketts family and to the office and the building itself. Listen, I like the United States a lot. I like living here a lot. And I like everything that it represents a lot. When you get a chance as a citizen to get to go to the White House, you go. Whether you like the person that's running the country or not, out of respect to the office itself, you go. "I don't agree with all the other banter that's going on right now because I have a different perspective. I like living here a lot. I like this country a lot. I would much prefer living here than some of the other places that adopt different methods of government. So I think sometimes that gets confused when people want to take a stand and not really realize actually what we have here, which is a lot better than most every place else." Injury updates: Pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right hand, threw from 90 feet off flat ground during a late-afternoon cloudburst Tuesday. Hendricks has been on the DL effective June 5. The Cubs want to increase the throwing distance, up to 150 feet, before Hendricks throws a bullpen session.

Infielder-outfielder Ben Zobrist continued working out in Chicago Tuesday as he tries to come back from left-wrist inflammation. Zobrist is likely to repeat the workout Wednesday and possibly head out on a minor league rehab assignment if he checks out OK. Leading the way: When Willson Contreras homered to lead off Monday night's 5-4 victory, he became the first catcher in the history of the franchise, dating to 1876, to homer leading off a game, according to research historian Ed Hartig. Contreras become the second Cubs player this month to homer in the first inning of his first career start out of the leadoff spot. Anthony Rizzo did so on June 13 against the Mets. -- Cubs.com Sloppy game out of character for Arrieta, Cubs By Carrie Muskat WASHINGTON -- The box score from Tuesday's Cubs game is ugly. The feeling in the clubhouse was worse. Max Scherzer had as many hits as he allowed. Two Cubs errors led to two Nats runs. Washington stole seven bases against Jake Arrieta, who walked six in an abbreviated outing. "A lot of the damage was self-inflicted -- the walks, stolen bases, a couple errors," manager Joe Maddon said. "It was a non-Cub-like game on the field. ... We hurt ourselves." Arrieta's slow delivery didn't help catcher Miguel Montero, who is now 0-for-31 in throwing out baserunners for the season. "It really sucked because the stolen base goes on me," Montero said. "When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time. It's like, 'Oh, yeah, Miggy can't throw anybody out.' Yeah, but my pitchers don't hold anybody on. It's tough. ... I don't get a chance to throw. That's the reason they were running left and right. They knew he was slow to the plate, simple as that." Maddon is aware of the problem. "It's an imperfect situation," Maddon said. "It's not about the move to first, it's about time to the plate more than anything. [Arrieta] is a little slow, really gathers, his leg comes up high. It's something he works on. There are times when he's quicker or better, but with guys like [Trea Turner], who are premier runners, it's really difficult. The best antidote is to keep [Turner] off the bases." Montero was charged with one of the errors on a throw to third, trying to get Michael Taylor in the fourth. There were times, Montero said, when he didn't even consider throwing because he knew it would have to be perfect. Turner stole two bases in the first and again in the third. He now has 32 steals for the season; the Cubs have 23. Montero, 33, is not as quick as he once was behind the plate. His average pop time to second on stolen-base attempts is 2.11 seconds, compared to the MLB average of 2.00 seconds. For comparison, teammate Willson Contreras has a 1.93 average pop time to second (the league leader is the Padres' Austin Hedges with 1.88 seconds). "When Turner's on the bag, you try to be mindful of that and vary your holds, but he's fast," Arrieta said. "He's a factor any time he's on. That's why you try to do your best to keep him off base. ... I don't care who's behind the plate -- [Turner] is a threat, and he's shown that. You're better off getting him out, and I wasn't able to do that very well."

In Arrieta's previous start, against the Marlins, he was efficient and gave up one run over seven innings, throwing 82 pitches. On Tuesday, the right-hander did notch his 1,000th career strikeout when he fanned Turner in the fourth, but it's the fifth time this season he's been unable to finish five innings. "The last start was more indicative of the way I'd like to throw as far as commanding the strike zone and forcing contact early in the count," Arrieta said. Arrieta will be a free agent after this season. He'd love to secure a contract like Scherzer's (seven years, $210 million). "I can pitch at his level," Arrieta said. "I just haven't done it consistently. He's been very good throughout his career. I've had a couple good ones, a bad one, a couple good ones. I'd like to be more consistent throughout." On Monday, the Cubs opened this four-game series with a much crisper 5-4 win. How can they find some consistency? "That's the million-dollar question right there," Montero said. "If I knew the answer, I'd be talking to the guys to figure it out and get it going. It's tough. It's one of those days, you get beat and go home and you think about it, and it's going to be hard to sleep on it. It was just a bad game." -- Cubs.com Cubs can't control Nats' running game in loss By Jamal Collier and Carrie Muskat WASHINGTON -- The Nationals exploited a Cubs weakness and ran wild on the basepaths Tuesday night, setting a Nats record, and tying the franchise mark, with seven stolen bases to add another dimension to their top-ranked offense. Washington's running game combined with another strong performance from Max Scherzer led the Nats to a 6-1 victory in a matchup of the past two Cy Young Award winners in the National League. "You have to have different games," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "Sometimes you have to win with speed and contact. Sometimes you have to win with power. So it's nice to know you can call upon both those games whenever you need them." Scherzer recorded as many hits at the plate (two) as he allowed (two) in six innings of one-run ball, and he drove in a run on a single. He struck out six to snap his streak of six consecutive double-digit strikeout games, but he lowered his ERA to 2.06. "I made what I had work tonight," Scherzer said. "Coming off a couple outings in a row where my pitch count's really gotten up there, I didn't really have great fastball command tonight, but I was able to use my offspeed to kind of collect outs when I needed to. And I didn't walk anybody. With a lineup like that, if you don't walk anybody, that's a big part of keeping them at bay." Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, meanwhile, issued six walks and was charged with six runs (five earned) on six hits in four-plus innings. Chicago's defense, stellar in the series-opening win, was not sharp, committing two key errors. After Kris Bryant's triple in the first plated Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs could not mount any sort of rally against Scherzer, who retired his last 10 batters. "A lot of the damage was self-inflicted -- the walks, stolen bases, a couple errors," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "It was a non-Cub-like game on the field. They took advantage of their running game, and they took advantage of a couple mistakes we made. We hurt ourselves. … When you're a .500 team, there's a reason for it. We deserve to be a .500 team."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Trea makes history, again: Nationals shortstop Trea Turner matched his own franchise record with four stolen bases, and he did so in just three innings. After reaching base in his first two plate appearances, Turner swiped both second and third base, which helped create a pair of runs. Turner set the mark less than two weeks ago, when he stole four bases against the Mets on June 18. "That's something [first-base coach Davey Lopes] and even Dusty is trying to harp on me, [Brian Goodwin], [Michael Taylor], just to be aggressive and not make dumb mistakes," Turner said. "Not run into outs, and put pressure on the other team. That's an example of it right there." Said Maddon: "The best antidote is to keep that guy off the bases." With the combination of Arrieta and Cubs catcher Miguel Montero, who entered Tuesday 0-for-24 against would-be basestealers, the Nats took advantage. Taylor stole a pair of bases, and Anthony Rendon added a steal as well, all leading directly to runs. However, Montero can't take all the blame. It's a combination. Arrieta is slow to the plate. "It really sucked, because the stolen base goes on me," Montero said. "When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time. It's like, 'Oh, yeah, Miggy can't throw anybody out.' Yeah, but my pitchers don't hold anybody on. It's tough." Replay review: The Nationals had runners at the corners and two outs in the third when Daniel Murphy hit a grounder to second baseman Tommy La Stella, who threw wide to Rizzo. The first baseman could not keep his foot on the bag to make the play, and first-base umpire Tim Timmons called Murphy safe, giving the Nats a 2-1 lead. The Cubs challenged the ruling, and after review, the call stood. QUOTABLE "Love it. That way I get to talk trash, too, especially when you hit a ball hard up the middle and not just a cheap hit. When pitchers ever hit, you get to run your mouth a little bit more." -- Scherzer, on his two hits "I love speed. And when you have it, you gotta use it." -- Baker "That's the million-dollar question right there. If I knew the answer, I'd be talking to the guys to figure it out and get it going. It's tough. It's one of those days, you get beat and go home. We played sloppy -- we all did. You go home and you think about it, and it's going to be hard to sleep on it. It was just a bad game. I respect Scherzer. I've known him for a long time and he's a great pitcher, but I felt the game could be a little bit closer." -- Montero, when asked how the Cubs can be more consistent SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The seven stolen bases against Montero are the most in a game by a Cubs catcher since Joe Girardi allowed eight on June 3, 1990, against the Cardinals. WHAT'S NEXT Cubs: John Lackey gets the start for the third game of this four-game series against the Nationals on Wednesday night at Nationals Park. He's posted quality starts in his last two outings and has fared better on the road, posting a 4-4 record and 4.40 ERA. However, he hasn't had much luck vs. NL East teams this year, going 0-3 in four starts with a 5.32 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for Washington. He has not made it out of the sixth inning in any of his past three starts, but he has pitched well against the Cubs in his career with a 1.95 ERA in four starts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.

-- Cubs.com Maddon leading Cubs back to White House By Carrie Muskat WASHINGTON -- Six months after their formal visit to the White House as the 2016 World Series champions, the Cubs are headed back. On Wednesday, manager Joe Maddon and some of the players and members of the traveling party will stop at the White House. The team celebrated its first World Series championship since 1908 by meeting with then President Barack Obama in the East Room in a formal ceremony on Jan. 16 just days before he left office. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and his brother, Todd, who had been a candidate for deputy commerce secretary under President Donald Trump, were on Capitol Hill on Tuesday with the World Series trophy, meeting with Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, among others. "A lot of it has to do with the fact the Ricketts family is tied in there, and I guess our trophy was here in town today at the Capitol Building, and that's kind of cool," Maddon said. "Whatever Mr. Ricketts would like me to do, I'm going to do. Mr. Ricketts and his family have been good to all of us. Part of it is that, and the other part is whenever you have a chance to go to the White House, I think it's easy to say 'yes' out of respect to the office and the building itself." Maddon will have a busy day, speaking at a luncheon of Young Republicans at the invitation of Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pennsylvania), who is from the manager's hometown of Hazleton, Pa. The Cubs have not been assured that they will meet Trump on Wednesday. "It's a possibility," Maddon said. The event is definitely less formal than January's meeting. "I'll have my best pair of jeans on tomorrow and a nice shirt, which I'm really digging on," Maddon said. The players are not required to go. "As long as they run hard to first base, they can make up their own mind whether they go to the White House or not," said Maddon, who has very few rules for the team. Since winning the NBA championship, the Warriors' possible White House visit has been debated. Maddon had no comment regarding the Warriors and did his best to keep politics out of the discussion. "To go tomorrow is out of respect to the Ricketts family and the office and the building itself," Maddon said. "I like the United States a lot, I like living here a lot, I like everything it represents a lot. When you get a chance as a citizen to go to the White House, you go. Whether you like the person who's running the country or not, out of respect for the office itself, you go. "I don't agree with all the other banter that's going on because I have a different perspective. I like living here a lot. I like this country a lot. I would much prefer living here than some of the other places which have different methods of government." -- Cubs.com Cubs look to back Lackey, gain edge vs. Nats By Kyle Melnick

The Cubs will continue to miss some key players as they play the third game of a deadlocked four-game series against the Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday night, but others have stepped up in their absence, most notably Ian Happ. Happ had hit safely in 12 of his past 13 games and was batting .340 (18-for-53) with five homers and 13 RBIs in that span before going hitless Tuesday, and the Cubs hope the 22-year-old can continue to help their depleted lineup when they face Stephen Strasburg. The Cubs' No. 1 pick in the 2015 MLB Draft and the franchise's former No. 2 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com, Happ made his Major League debut May 13 and has found a rhythm at the plate. He'll look to give Strasburg a challenge as the right-hander works out of a recent slump. Strasburg (8-2, 3.57 ERA) hasn't made it out of the sixth inning in any of his past three starts, and the 28-year-old gave up five runs in five innings in his previous start against the Reds on Friday. But Strasburg has a 1.95 ERA in four career starts vs. the Cubs. John Lackey (5-8, 4.74) will start for Chicago, coming off two quality outings after struggling to begin the season. In two starts against the Nationals last season, Lackey pitched to a 2.77 ERA. The right-hander hasn't been at his best against National League East teams this season, though, with an 0-3 record and 5.32 ERA in four starts. As Lackey has improved, so has the Cubs' starting rotation after posting a 5.40 ERA between May 30 and June 12. Three things to know about this game • While Strasburg's offspeed pitches remain deadly for hitters, his average exit velocity allowed with his four-seam fastball has jumped from 88.0 mph in 2016 to 90.8 mph in '17. This season, the four-seamer already has yielded 14 barrels -- batted balls with an ideal combination of exit velocity and launch angle -- more than in '16 (11) or '15 (nine). • Lackey might run into trouble if Adam Lind is in the lineup. Lind is batting 18-for-43 with six doubles in his career against Lackey. • Nationals star Bryce Harper is 0-for-9 in his career against Lackey. He has no extra-base hits in nine games vs. the Cubs since 2016. -- Cubs.com Hendricks throwing, targets post-break return By Carrie Muskat WASHINGTON -- Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks resumed his throwing program on Tuesday, playing catch from 90 feet, but he is still wearing protective tape on his right middle finger. The good news? Hendricks felt normal. The right-hander is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right hand. He threw Saturday and Sunday in Miami, then took Monday off before playing catch on Tuesday, saying "it felt 100 percent normal." He hasn't thrown any offspeed pitches while playing catch, and has at least three to four more days of throwing before he can start thinking about a bullpen session. That would make a return before the All-Star break highly unlikely "My arm feels great, it feels normal to throw and I feel no pain in my finger, and that's huge," Hendricks said. "It's going to be tough with the days we have before the All-Star break with this slow throwing progression and the tape. My focus is the next four days to get four good days of throwing in."

"I want to see [Kyle Schwarber] get back on track, and when he comes back up, what does it look like, and what does that mean?" manager Joe Maddon said of Schwarber, who was sent down to Triple-A Iowa, making his first start there on Monday after batting .171 with the Cubs. "Does somebody else among this group all of a sudden ascend and move Riz back? Let's say Riz doesn't do well and gets cold there -- get him out of there," Maddon said. "We don't have the prototypical leadoff guy. I'm just trying to match our best up against what the other team is doing and trying to get our best hitters in the first three slots. I'm also trying to project in game as to what they might do as far as potential pinch-hitters for us. "Don't have Lou Brock, don't have Rickey Henderson, Maury Wills is not here. We're trying to do the best we can with what we have." • Veteran Ben Zobrist, on the disabled list with inflammation in his left wrist, had another workout session on Tuesday in Chicago, and he will repeat that on Wednesday. There is no timetable for his return. "No setbacks," Maddon said of Zobrist. -- Cubs.com Cubs scout Lockhart thankful for support for son By Mark Bowman ATLANTA -- Former Major Leaguer Keith Lockhart has expressed appreciation for the outpouring of prayers and support that have been directed toward his teenage son, who is attempting to recover from a life-threatening, freak accident that occurred during a June 17 game played in South Carolina. Multiple reports have indicated Jason Lockhart, 15, was crossing home plate when he was struck in the face with the ball the opposing catcher was throwing back to the pitcher. He immediately received stitches and was diagnosed with a fractured nose. When the teenager's nose began excessively bleeding two days later, he was transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital. He underwent surgery, but doctors later found the fracture had cut an artery. The Lockhart family remained strong when Jason was placed in a medically-induced coma Friday in an attempt to stop the excessive bleeding. After his son underwent yet another surgical procedure on Sunday, Keith Lockhart tweeted an encouraging update that indicated doctors had stopped some of the bleeding. Braves vice chairman John Schuerholz issued this statement Monday afternoon: "The entire Braves organization is offering our prayers for Jason and the entire Lockhart family, and we encourage all of our great fans throughout Braves Country to do the same." Lockhart, who currently serves as a Cubs scout, played for the Braves from 1997-2002 and has maintained his family residence in the Atlanta area. The former second baseman also played for the Padres and Royals over the course of 10 big league seasons from 1994-2003. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs C Miguel Montero calls out SP Jake Arrieta for Nats' 7 stolen bases By Jesse Rogers WASHINGTON -- After the Nationals stole seven bases on the Cubs on Tuesday night, Chicago catcher Miguel Montero put the blame squarely on his starting pitcher, Jake Arrieta.

"That's the reason they were running left and right today, because they [Arrieta] were slow to the plate," Montero said after the Cubs' 6-1 loss. "Simple as that. It's a shame it's my fault because I didn't throw anyone out. "It really sucked, because the stolen bases go on me. But when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time, so yeah, 'Miggy can't throw anyone out,' but my pitchers don't hold anyone on." Opposing baserunners are 31 for 31 in steal attempts against Montero this season, a total that includes the seven in four innings on Tuesday by the Nationals. Trea Turner had four steals with Arrieta on the mound and Montero behind the plate. "I don't pay attention to the catcher too much," Turner said. "More so [the] pitcher. I knew that Arrieta was slower to the plate, so I just wanted to be aggressive and make sure I was taking good chances." Though Cubs teammate Jon Lester has earned more headlines for his issues with the opposition stealing bases, Arrieta has had his own problems over the years. Last season, he ranked fourth in the National League with 23 stolen bases against. He was fourth in 2015, as well. "When Turner is on the bag, you try and be mindful of that," Arrieta said of the NL steals leader. "Vary your holds. But he's fast. He's a factor. Anytime he's on. That's why you try and do your best anytime he's on base. "I don't care who's behind the plate, he's a threat. And he's shown that. You're better off getting him out." Arrieta spoke to reporters before Montero did, so it's unclear if he knew where his catcher would lay the blame. Montero was behind the plate for Arrieta's first no-hitter in 2015, but the catcher's skills have declined. His average "pop time" (2.11 seconds) to second base ranks second worst among all catchers. "As soon as you catch the ball, you see the guy at second base and you try to be as quick as possible," Montero said. "Next thing you know, you don't have anything on it or you make a bad throw. There's a couple times I didn't throw because there is no time to throw anyone out there. "It's frustrating for a catcher. It really hurts me. I feel like I can still throw. I have a good arm. My arm feels great. I just tried to be quicker, try to be perfect. To make those two together it's hard to do." Montero was asked if he and Arrieta have discussed their issues. "We talk every year in spring training, but it's frustrating because no one really cares about it," Montero said. "Perfect example: Salvador Perez, best-throwing catcher in the game, and Jason Hammel has only 10 stolen bases and one caught stealing. So what does that tell you? They don't give him [Perez] a chance to throw someone out?" It's not the first time Montero's public comments could land him in hot water. On the day of the Cubs' parade to celebrate their World Series championship, he was critical of how manager Joe Maddon used him throughout 2016, while also questioning communication between the two. A spring training spaghetti dinner cleared the air. On Tuesday, Maddon also addressed reporters before Montero did, and Maddon pointed toward Arrieta, as well. "It's about time to the plate," Maddon said. "He's a little bit slow ... It's something he works on. There are times he's quicker and better to work with. The best anecdote is to keep the guy off the base." Arrieta wasn't able to keep the fastest of the Nationals off base, and the Cubs paid for it, particularly their catcher. "The numbers always go to the catcher, so I'm the bad guy there," Montero said. "It really sucks. Have to take full responsibility, but on the other hand, I would like a little help."

The seven steals are the most the Nationals have tallied in a single game since moving to Washington in 2005 and are tied for the franchise record, most recently accomplished by the Montreal Expos on May 7, 1986. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs' Joe Maddon visiting White House 'out of respect to the office' By Jesse Rogers WASHINGTON -- Although they made their official White House visit for winning the World Series back in January, the Chicago Cubs will make another informal trip Wednesday because team ownership has ties with the current administration. Manager Joe Maddon tried to steer clear of any controversy regarding the trip, as he’ll accompany about two dozen people in the Cubs' traveling party, including some of his players. Albert Almora Jr., Anthony Rizzo, and, reportedly, John Lackey are expected to attend. "It’s not as ceremonial as the last one was, going there as World Series champions," Maddon said Tuesday afternoon. "It’s more based on the Ricketts family relationship. "Whatever Mr. Ricketts would like me to do, I’m going to do. Part of it is that, and part of it is whenever you have a chance to get to the White House, I think it’s easy to say yes, out of respect to the office and the building itself." Maddon was asked if going is a tacit affirmation of President Donald Trump's administration in the way that not going would be a statement in the opposite direction. "To go tomorrow is out of respect to the Ricketts family and the office," Maddon said. "I like the United States a lot. I like living here a lot. When you get a chance, as a citizen, to get to go to the White House, you go. I think you go. Whether you like the person that’s running the country or not, out of respect to the office itself, you go. "I don’t agree with all the other banter that’s going on right now. I have a different perspective. I like living here a lot. I like this country a lot. I much prefer living here as opposed to the other places that adopt different methods of government, so I think sometimes that’s confused by people who want to take a stand and not really realizing what we have here, which is a lot better than most every place else." Maddon stressed that the trip isn't mandatory for his players, and he has no problem if some don’t want to go because of politics. "I just want you to run hard to first base," Maddon quipped. "As long as you run hard to first base, they can make up their own mind whether they want to go to the White House. As long as my pitchers work on defense, they can do whatever they want tomorrow." The Ricketts family supported Trump in the open election, though they weren’t above a Twitter attack by the president early in the campaign. Meanwhile, Laura Ricketts, the sister of Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts who is on the Cubs' board of directors, was an open supporter of Hillary Clinton. But their brother Todd Ricketts, also a board member, was Trump's pick for Commerce Secretary before Todd Ricketts withdrew his name because of difficulties untangling his financial holdings to satisfy ethics rules, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Maddon isn’t sure if the visitors will meet Trump after having a formal ceremony at the White House in the final week of President Obama’s administration. "I think it’s possible, but we haven’t been assured of that yet," Maddon said.

But the president's schedule, released Tuesday evening, showed he would meet with the Cubs in the Roosevelt Room at 2 p.m. ET. Maddon famously dressed down for the January visit and, considering the already stated informal nature of this one, he’ll do the same Wednesday. "We got word on this late, so I’m going to have my best pair of jeans on tomorrow," Maddon said with a smile. "It’s not nearly as formal as the last one was." -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Catcher Miguel Montero Drops Truth Bomb, Throws Jake Arrieta Under The Bus After Nationals Run Wild By Patrick Mooney WASHINGTON — Within 24 hours, the Cubs followed up maybe their best win of the season with one of their ugliest losses and a classic Miguel Montero rant. Next stop: The Trump White House. Montero walked out of the showers and across the room late Tuesday night with towels wrapped across his waist and draped over his shoulders. He didn’t even bother to change into his clothes before calling the waiting reporters over to his locker after a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals. Montero dropped a truth bomb in the middle of the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park, calling out Jake Arrieta without directly mentioning his name and talking in the third person after Washington stole seven bases in four innings. “It really sucks because the stolen bases go on me,” Montero said. “When you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time. It’s just like: ‘Yeah, OK, Miggy can’t throw nobody out.’ Yeah, but my pitchers don’t hold anybody on. It’s tough, because it doesn’t matter how much work I put in. “If I don’t get a chance to throw, that’s the reason why they were running left and right today, because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It’s a shame that it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anybody out.” Now 0-for-31 in that department this season, Montero namedropped Jason Hammel — the ex-Cub now pitching for the Kansas City Royals — to show the de-emphasis on holding runners. “We talk every year in spring training, but it’s frustrating, because it seems nobody really cares about it,” Montero said. “Like: ‘OK, yeah, I got to pitch. And if they run, they run, I don’t care.’ “Perfect example: We got Salvador Perez, the best throwing catcher in the game, and Jason Hammel’s got 10 stolen bases and only one caught stealing, so what does that tell you? They didn’t give him a chance.” This pitching philosophy didn’t stop the Cubs from winning 200 games and a World Series title across the last two seasons. Even with his rocket arm, Willson Contreras would have trouble stopping Washington leadoff guy Trea Turner, who stole four bases and now has back-to-back 30-steal years, even though so far he’s never played more than 73 games in a season. “It always goes to the catcher and I’m the bad guy there,” Montero said. “It really sucks, but it is what it is and I got to take full responsibility. But in the end, I would like a little help.” Montero is a two-time All-Star catcher known for his brutal honesty and willingness to mentor players like Contreras. But Montero is about to turn 34 and making $14 million in the final year of his contract and clearly aware of his uncertain future.

“I feel like I can still throw,” said Montero, who rushed one throw to third base and fired the ball into left field, allowing Michael Taylor to score. “I got a good arm. My arm felt great. I just try to be quicker. I try to be perfect. And to make those two go together, it’s hard to do.” This is Miggy Being Miggy. Joe Maddon requested a sit-down meeting with Montero in spring training after he criticized the manager’s communication skills and in-game World Series decisions during a WMVP-AM 1000 interview ... on the same day as the championship parade and Grant Park rally. Over red wine at an Italian restaurant near the team’s complex in Arizona, the two cleared the air and posted to social media a photo of them toasting drinks. The frustration is building again for a team that is supposed to do the little things well. Why are the defending champs 39-38 and so inconsistent? “That’s the million-dollar question right there,” Montero said. “If I would have known the answer, I would be talking to the guys to figure it out and get it going. It’s tough. It’s one of those days that you get beat. “We played sloppy. Simple as that. We all did. It’s going to be hard to sleep on it, because it was just a bad game.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Vs. Nationals Makes It Obvious: Jake Arrieta Is No Max Scherzer By Patrick Mooney WASHINGTON — Super-agent Scott Boras drove the Max Scherzer comparisons through the media, trying to frame Jake Arrieta’s Cy Young Award pedigree and pitching odometer against that seven-year, $210 million megadeal with the Washington Nationals. Every inning in each Arrieta start shouldn’t be viewed like a stock ticker, but it became the impossible-to-miss backdrop on Tuesday night at Nationals Park, where Scherzer stared down the Cubs through his blue and brown eyes and dominated in a 6-1 game that didn’t have that same October energy. Where Scherzer is headed toward his fifth straight All-Star selection, the Cubs can only guess what they will get out of Arrieta from one start to the next, which makes you wonder: How many teams would commit five or six years to an over-30 pitcher like that? Coming off probably the team’s best win of the season the night before — and a strong last start at Marlins Park where he felt “really close” to where he wanted to be — Arrieta walked off the mound with no outs and two runners on in the fifth inning. The Nationals ran wild, putting pressure on the Cubs and stealing seven bases off Arrieta and catcher Miguel Montero. Arrieta’s control vanished, walking six batters and throwing a wild pitch. The defense collapsed, with second baseman Tommy La Stella leading Anthony Rizzo off first base with one throw and Montero chucking another ball into left field. Scherzer had as many hits (two) and RBI (one) as the entire Cubs lineup. “I can pitch at his level,” Arrieta said. “I just haven’t done it consistently. He’s been very good, obviously, throughout his career. It’s been up and down. I’ve had a couple good ones, a bad one, a couple good ones, a bad one, so I would obviously like to be more consistent throughout. I just haven’t been able to do that the way that I would like. “I’ll beat myself up tonight and put in some work and be better next time out. That’s kind of the philosophy, regardless of the situation or the results. Just try and learn as best I can and come out and do better next time.”

Halfway through his platform season, Arrieta is 7-6 with a 4.67 ERA after giving up six runs (five earned) and losing this marquee matchup against Scherzer and the first-place Nationals (46-31). “Not where I want to be, obviously,” Arrieta said, “but I’ll try and move forward and just be better.” The Cubs (39-38) felt the whiplash effect from Scherzer’s violent delivery, the perfect game gone when he drilled leadoff guy Rizzo with a 95-mph fastball and the no-hitter over in the first inning when Kris Bryant knocked an RBI triple off the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field. None of it rattled Scherzer (9-5, 2.06 ERA), who gave up one more hit and zero walks across six innings. This is the third-fastest pitcher in major-league history to reach 2,000 strikeouts, a favorite to win his third Cy Young Award this year and the Game 1 starter the Cubs would face if they make it back to Washington for a first-round playoff series. “It starts with his delivery and deception,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I think there’s a lot of intimidation, based on how he just delivers the baseball and the angle that he throws from, the ability to ride a fastball. I think the big thing, too, is the changeup has gotten devastatingly good. “He’s an uncomfortable at-bat, just based on the way he winds up and throws the baseball. And then the stuff just moves so darn much. It’s a unique combination of factors that he has. He’s so strong and he pitches so deeply into games — and he does it consistently well for years. He’s just a different animal.” That makes the Max comparison so untenable for Arrieta, who lost to Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers during his final start for the Baltimore Orioles on June 17, 2013. Arrieta immediately got shipped down to Triple-A Norfolk and traded to the Cubs 15 days later in a deal that would change baseball history forever. Boras is right when he calls that the defining struggle of Arrieta’s career and says it took “World Series cojones” to handle that pressure. But just like Arrieta’s contract year, the Cubs are now in the great unknown. Can you get back to that Scherzer level? “No question about it,” Arrieta said. “Just nothing really went my way — or our team’s way — tonight.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Will Make Statement With Trip To Donald Trump's White House By Patrick Mooney WASHINGTON — Within a matter of days last November, the Cubs won a staggering World Series for the first time in 108 years and Donald Trump won a scathing election to become the 45th president. Those two surreal worlds will collide again on Wednesday when a group of Cubs get a private White House tour that can be interpreted as a political statement, something larger than this four-game series against the Washington Nationals. This comes less than six months after the Cubs enjoyed an East Room ceremony that became the final official event at Barack Obama’s White House, at a polarizing time when speculation centered on whether or not the Golden State Warriors would skip the traditional photo op with Trump, not wanting to make an implicit endorsement after winning another NBA title. “You’d have to talk to the Warriors,” manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday. “To go tomorrow is out of respect to the Ricketts family and to the office and the building itself. Listen, I like the United States a lot. I like living here a lot. And I like everything that it represents a lot.

“So when you get a chance as a citizen to get to go to the White House, you go. I think you go. Whether you like the person that’s running the country or not — out of respect to the office itself — you go. “I don’t agree with all the other banter that’s going on right now, because I have a different perspective.” Chairman Tom Ricketts and his brother, Todd, a board member who withdrew his nomination to become Trump’s deputy commerce secretary, brought the World Series trophy to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and did a meet and greet with Illinois Congressional staffers at the Russell Senate Office Building. Within the Ricketts family/Cubs board of directors, Pete is Nebraska’s Republican governor and Laura was a superdelegate and a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein is also active in Democratic circles. Maddon also plans to attend a luncheon on Wednesday with young Republicans organized by Congressman Lou Barletta, an old buddy from growing up in Hazleton, Penn., and an early Trump endorser. “It’s not as ceremonial as the last one was, going there as the World Series champions,” Maddon said. “It’s more based on the Ricketts family relationship and the crowd that’s going to the White House. “The Ricketts family’s been tied in there really well ... so wherever Mr. Ricketts would like me to go, I’m going to do (it). Mr. Ricketts and the Ricketts family has been good to all of us, so part of that is that. “The other part is whenever you have a chance to go to the White House, I think it’s easy to say yes out of respect to the office and the building itself.” Maddon didn’t know if meeting Trump would be on the itinerary and said he understood if some players passed on the invite. “I don’t have any rules to begin with,” Maddon said. “I just want you to run hard to first base. As long as you run hard to first base, they can make up their own mind whether they want to go to the White House or not. “Furthermore, not having to wear a suit, I think, is the best part of this whole trip, because, to me, to have to dress a certain way to impress somebody, my God, nobody would ever fail. So I’m all about all of the circumstances right now.” Maddon didn’t sound at all concerned about the optics of visiting the White House at a time of travel bans, sub-40 percent approval ratings and investigations into the Trump campaign’s connections to Russia, or meeting with a president who compared Chicago to Afghanistan. “I like living here a lot,” Maddon said. “I like this country a lot. And I would much prefer living here than some of the other places that adopt different methods of government. “I think sometimes that gets confused when people want to take a stand and not really realizing actually what we have, which is a lot better than most every place else.” -- Chicago Tribune At 7-6 with 4.76 ERA, Jake Arrieta says 'I’m not where I want to be' By Mark Gonzales With a 7-6 record and 4.76 ERA after 16 starts, Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta has plenty of room for improvement to come close to matching his success of the past two seasons. “I’m not where I want to be,” Arrieta said after walking six in four-plus innings Tuesday in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals and ace Max Scherzer. “But I’ll try to move forward and try to be better. My last start was

more indicative of the way I’d like to throw as far as commanding the strike zone and forcing contact early in the count.” The most disconcerting feeling for the Cubs and their followers is not knowing what to expect from Arrieta. In Arrieta’s last start, he limited the Marlins to one earned runs while pitching efficiently in a seven-inning stint. But Arrieta has failed to pitch at least five innings in five starts after developing into a beacon of reliability the past three seasons. Four of his six losses have come at the hands of playoff contenders like the Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Nationals — who didn’t hit him hard but took advantage of the walks and ran at will against him. To Arrieta’s credit, he hasn’t lost faith in his ability as he enters what could be his final months as a Cub before he’s a free agent. That was evident when asked about the comparisons to Scherzer, who is in the third year of a seven-year, $210 million contract. “I can pitch at his level,” Arrieta said. “I just haven’t done it consistently. He’s been very good thoughout his career. “I’d like to be more consistent throughout. I just haven’t been able to do that the way I’d like. But I’ll beat myself up, put some work and be better next time. That kind of my philosophy, regardless of the situation or the results.” -- Chicago Tribune Miguel Montero shifts blame to pitchers after Nationals steal seven bases By Mark Gonzales If the dominant pitching of Max Scherzer was too much for Cubs hitters Tuesday night in a 6-1 loss, catcher Miguel Montero also felt helpless against a Nationals team that stole a franchise record seven bases. For Montero, this was the latest blemish in his stint with the Cubs that has seen his playing time gradually diminish. This time, Montero said he doesn't think the pitching staff is giving him a chance to throw out base stealers. The situation was magnified in the first three innings when Trea Turner singled and walked and subsequently stole four bases to tie a franchise record. "What can I say?" said Montero, who has thrown out only one base stealer in 32 attempts, according to baseball-reference.com. "A couple of times (Tuesday night) I didn't even try to throw because there was no time, no chance to throw (out anybody)." The situation became even more embarrassing for Montero in the fourth when Michael A. Taylor stole second and scored while stealing third when Montero sailed a throw wide of the base and into left field. "So why am I even going to make a throw, or what happened at third? (I) try to make a throw to third and throw to left field because I tried to be too quick. "It's frustrating for a catcher because it really hurts me. I feel like I can still throw. I have a good arm, my arm feels great. I just try to be quicker, I try to be perfect. And to make those two together is hard to do." Before Montero expressed his frustration, Maddon indicated the problems start on the mound. "It an imperfect situation," Maddon said. "It's not about the move to first. It's about the time to the plate more than anything. (Arrieta) is a little slow, gathers late, his leg comes up high. It's something that he works on. There

are times he's quicker or better with it. Guys like Turner who are premier runners, it's difficult to get it down to the (time) that makes it (doable) even for a catcher like Willson (Contreras). "The best antidote is to keep (Turner) off the bases." That was another issue. Arrieta walked six — his highest total since walking seven against the Brewers on Aug. 18, 2016. "No excuses," Arrieta said. He didn't pitch at least five innings for the fifth time this season and threw 93 pitches in four-plus innings as his road ERA swelled to 5.03 in 11 starts. Arrieta departed before Montero spoke to reporters, but he was aware of Turner's speed and the need to throw to first and vary his times to the plate. "But he's fast," Arrieta said. "He's a factor every time he's on. That's why you try to do your best to keep him off base. He gets on three or four times, it's going to make it tough. "I don't care who is behind the plate. He's a threat and has shown that. He has good instincts. He gets a good lead and a pretty good jump. You're obviously better off getting him out. I wasn't able to do that very well." -- Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon on visit to White House: 'Easy to say 'yes' out of respect to the office' By Mark Gonzales Joe Maddon won't be wearing a suit, but the Chicago Cubs manager and several members of the traveling party will visit the White House in an informal gathering Wednesday. Maddon wasn't sure if President Trump would visit them. "I don’t know," said Maddon, who plans to speak with a group of Young Republicans with longtime friend and U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta. "It’s a possibility. We haven’t been assured of that yet." Maddon said this visit is based more on the Ricketts family, which owns a majority of the franchise, and their ties to Trump. The Cubs' World Series trophy visited the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, accompanied by Chairman Tom Ricketts and his brother Todd, who was strongly considered for a spot in the Trump administration. "Whatever Mr. Ricketts would like me to do, I’m going to do. Mr. Ricketts and the Ricketts family have been good to us. So part of that is that. The other part is whenever you have a chance to go to the White House, I think it’s easy to say 'yes' out of respect to the office and the building itself." But this time, not as many players are expected to attend, due to the scheduled afternoon visit before the Cubs play the Washington Nationals in the evening. "It's not a big deal for me to go there because last time they went, they told me it was four hours with standing up and getting tired," reliever Hector Rondon, who didn't attend the January visit with President Obama due to travel issues. "I don’t want to go there and get tired. I prefer to stay in my hotel room and be here and prepare for the game and for my teammates." Infielder Tommy La Stella said he doesn't pay attention to politics and would not be attending. "I’m sure it’s a pretty nice production," La Stella said. "It’s not as simple as just showing up."

Some members of the traveling party won't be as well dressed as their January visit. "I’ll have my best pair of jeans on and a nice shirt, which I’m really digging on," Maddon said. "So it’s not nearly as formal as the last one, even though the last one I didn’t wear a shirt and tie, either.” Maddon didn't seem bothered that some players won't attend. "I don’t have any rules," Maddon said. "As long as you run hard to first base, they can make up their own mind whether to go to the White House or not. As long as my pitchers work on defense, they can do whatever they want. "And furthermore, not having to wear a suit is the best part of this trip. Because to me, to have to dress a certain way to impress somebody, my God, no one would ever fail." Maddon, however, reiterated his desire to attend. "Listen, I like the United States a lot," Maddon said. "I like living here a lot. And I like what it represents a lot. So when you get a chance as a citizen to go to the White House, you go. Whether you like the person who is running the country or not, out of respect to the office, you go. "I don’t agree with all the banter that’s going on right now, because I have a different perspective. I like living here a lot. I like this country a lot. And I much prefer living here than some of the other places that adopt different methods of governments. Sometimes that gets confused when people want to take a stand and not really realize you actually have. Which is better than most every other place else." -- Chicago Tribune Iowa hitting coaches helped get reliever Justin Grimm back on track By Mark Gonzales Justin Grimm didn't expect to hear what hitting coaches Desi Wilson and Mariano Duncan told him during a 30-minute meeting at Triple-A Iowa. But their comments "kind of got my mind right," Grimm said Tuesday, one day after retiring formidable Ryan Zimmerman with the tying run on base in the eighth inning of the Cubs' 5-4 victory. "The main message was, 'I've watched you for years, and you're really good when you attack,'" Grimm said. His reaction to their comments was to not give up a run in 11 of his last 12 outings. "It has been that aggressive mindset. Early on, I was fixated on the long ball. I'd throw well for the most part but hurt myself by trying to be too fine and getting behind. That's the big difference. When I came back up here (May 29), I put it all behind me and moved forward. It's a long year, and I have time do something. "I'm a guy who can help solidify a lot of things (in the bullpen). That's just my opinion. And to me, that's the only opinion that matters. The other thing I learned (at Iowa) is that it all starts with you. Every morning when you wake up in the mirror, who do you see yourself as? What are you going to do to help the team?" Carl and curve: After striking out Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper and Zimmerman in succession on curves Monday, Carl Edwards Jr. believes command of the pitch will make his 96 mph fastball more effective. "I'm starting to get the feel part of it back," Edwards said. "It was getting kind of loopy, but I focused on keeping it down and in the strike zone."

Edwards' command of the pitch has progressed to the point where he feels confident he can throw it at different speeds to both sides of the plate. Extra innings: Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-4 with two RBI singles in his second game for Triple-A Iowa, a 7-6 victory over New Orleans. Schwarber struck out and flied to center in his other two at-bats. ... Kyle Hendricks will need about three to four more throwing sessions to a distance of about 150 feet before he can throw a bullpen session. ... Infielder Ben Zobrist will resume baseball work Wednesday. The Cubs said his left wrist felt fine after a round of drills Tuesday in Chicago. -- Chicago Tribune Max Scherzer and Nationals zoom past Cubs 6-1 to even up series By Paul Sullivan When Max Scherzer turns the game over to the Nationals' bullpen, it's like handing the keys to your shiny new BMW to your 16-year-old son. The game's most unhittable starter somehow is saddled with the league's most porous bullpen, so the obvious strategy going into any game is to keep it close, drive up Scherzer's pitch count and try to deliver a lethal blow to the pen. But even as the Cubs managed to score first and worked the count against Scherzer in the early going Tuesday night at Nationals Park, they couldn't prevent Trea Turner and the Nationals from running wild in a 6-1 victory, evening the series at a game apiece. Jake Arrieta and catcher Miguel Montero looked helpless against Turner, who stole four bases in his first two at-bats, while the Nationals swiped seven over the first four innings to take a 4-1 lead. That was more than enough for Scherzer, who had allowed more than three runs only once in his previous 15 starts. Scherzer coasted through six innings, allowing one run on two hits for his ninth victory as the bullpen held up for three innings. He admitted he wasn't as sharp as he would like, but added: "I didn't walk anybody, and with a lineup like that, if you don't walk anybody that's a big part of keeping them at bay." The Scherzer-Arrieta matchup was the first between the last two NL Cy Young Award winners since 2008, when the Diamondbacks' Brandon Webb beat Jake Peavy of the Padres. Scherzer said he looked forward to going "against the best," but the Nationals ran early and often on Arrieta and Montero, making it no fun for Cubs fans. "You have a guy you can run on on the mound, and Montero isn't throwing like he was earlier," manager Dusty Baker said. "I love speed. When you have it, you have to use it." Things were looking up for the Cubs after they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first and made Scherzer throw 21 pitches. But the Nationals tied it moments later on Turner's infield hit and steals of second and third before Brian Goodwin's infield hit drove him home. It was deja blue in the third when Turner walked, stole two more bases and came around on second baseman Tommy La Stella's throwing error. They stole three more in the two-run third, leaving Montero 1-for-32 throwing out runners. "(Fox Sports reporter) Ken Rosenthal just mentioned that about Montero," Turner said. "I don't pay attention to the catcher so much; more so the pitcher. I knew Arrieta was slower to the plate, and I wanted to be aggressive."

Arrieta was knocked out before retiring a batter in the fifth, the third time in four starts he has failed to last five. Scherzer is the early leader again in the National League Cy Young race and has been worth every dime of his $210 million deal. He came into Tuesday night leading the league in earned-run average (2.09), strikeouts (145), opponents' batting average (.167) and WHIP (0.81) and has been untouchable since signing with the Nationals. He has carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning in 11 of his 83 starts, tossing two no-hitters in 2015. This year may be his best yet. Right-handed hitters were batting .124 against him, with 89 strikeouts and five walks in 186 at-bats. "His numbers against righties are cartoonish," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "It sounds like it shouldn't even happen. The best pitcher in Little League should put those numbers up against Little League guys." Scherzer's relationship with Baker has been beneficial to both. They share the same dark sense of humor, as evidenced by a mound visit last year. Baker asked Scherzer how he felt. Scherzer replied: "I feel strong, I still got one more hitter in me." Baker told Scherzer he needed to look him in the eye before knowing for sure if he could remain in the game. Scherzer has heterochromia, a rare condition that makes his left eye brown and his right eye blue. "Which eye should I look at?" Baker asked. "Look in the (expletive) brown eye," Scherzer replied. Baker said later: "That was a good enough answer for me." And why did Scherzer choose his brown eye instead of his blue eye? "That's the pitching one," Baker said. Unless they blow a big lead in the NL East, all eyes will be on the Nationals in October when they make another attempt at the first World Series in franchise history, including the years in Montreal. History says they can't win the big one, but Baker said they have just enough renegades to make it happen. "This is my kind of team," he said. --