(Audacy) The Cubs are in the middle of a rebuild, which can lead to some ugly moments.
Their game against Mets on Sunday featured an example of one, with the Cubs committing an egregious mental error amid a rundown, allowing New York to score a run in the top of the first inning.
With runners on first and third and two outs, Cubs right-hander Adrian Sampson attempted a pickoff at first base, from where Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor began taking off to steal second.
As the Cubs chased down Lindor, Mets outfielder Starling Marte was on third base and made a break for home.
When the ball came to Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner at second base, he glanced at Marte before attempting to tag Lindor while holding the ball in his hand. Lindor took one step to his right and dropped to the ground.
After Hoerner missed the tag (which wouldn't matter because the ball wasn't in his glove), he turned back toward home plate to see Marte scoring while Lindor got back up and took second base.
The look on the Cubs fan in the front row says it all.
Had Hoerner tagged Lindor before Marte scored, the inning would've been over and the run would not have counted.
Luckily for the Cubs, they escaped the inning without further damage but it was just another blooper in what has been a forgettable season.
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