(670 The Score) The Cubs are so bad now that they have ample time to experiment.
On Thursday, that meant they showcased an unexpected brother battery. With the Cubs trailing 16-3 against the Brewers entering the top of the ninth inning at Wrigley Field, manager David Ross inserted 35-year-old infielder Andrew Romine to pitch.
Behind the plate? None other than his 32-year-old younger brother, Austin Romine, who earlier in the day had been activated from the injured list after dealing with a wrist issue for months.
Andrew hit 81 or 82 miles per hour on a few fastballs but also lobbed pitches in the 60s and 70s. He allowed one run on solo homer to Brewers infielder Luis Urias. Andrew also recorded a strikeout, freezing Brewers outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. with a fastball on the corner with the help of a good frame by Austin. Andrew put his arm around Austin as they headed toward the dugout.
The Romine brothers were the first brothers to play in the same game for the Cubs since Rick and Paul Reuschel did so on May 30, 1978, according to team historian Ed Hartis and as relayed by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The were the first brothers to play in the game at the time for the Cubs since Hal and Danny Breeden on June 4, 1971, per Hartig and as pointed out by Bastian.
It was Andrew’s eighth MLB pitching appearance, as he’d taken the mound earlier in his career for the Tigers and Mariners.
The Cubs lost 17-4. It was their eighth straight loss.