Skip to content

Cubs lose 1st Arrieta start since July

David Banks / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Nothing lasts forever.

On Tuesday night, for the first time since last July, the Chicago Cubs lost a regular-season game started by ace Jake Arrieta, dropping a 5-0 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers that ended their magical run of consecutive victories in starts by the reigning National League Cy Young award winner at 23.

Though Arrieta wasn't saddled with the loss - that hasn't happened to him since July 25, 2015, when it literally took a Cole Hamels no-hitter to beat him - the Cubs still blew their chance at history: a victory Tuesday at Wrigley Field would've given the franchise the longest consecutive wins streak in games started by the same pitcher. Instead, the Cubs share the all-time record with the Kansas City Royals - winners in 23 consecutive Kris Medlen starts between 2010-12 - for the best such streak in history.

Arrieta's last 23 regular-season starts (July 30, 2015 - May 25, 2016)

Date Opp Rslt IP ER GSc
7/30/2015 MIL W,5-2 6 2 57
8/4/2015 PIT W,5-0 7 0 75
8/9/2015 SFG W,2-0 7.2 0 75
8/15/2015 CHW W,6-3 6.2 2 57
8/20/2015 ATL W,7-1 6 0 70
8/25/2015 SFG W,8-5 6 0 69
8/30/2015 LAD W,2-0 9 0 98
9/5/2015 ARI W,2-0 8 0 81
9/11/2015 PHI W,5-1 8 1 71
9/16/2015 PIT W,3-2 8 1 68
9/22/2015 MIL W,4-0 9 0 91
9/27/2015 PIT W,4-0 7 0 84
10/2/2015 MIL W,6-1 6 0 75
4/4/2016 LAA W,9-0 7 0 78
4/10/2016 ARI W,7-3 7 3 55
4/16/2016 COL W,6-2 8 0 79
4/21/2016 CIN W,16-0 9 0 89
4/28/2016 MIL W,7-2 5 1 59
5/3/2016 PIT W,7-1 7 0 76
5/8/2016 WSN W,4-3 5 2 48
5/14/2016 PIT W,8-2 8 2 77
5/20/2016 SFG W,8-1 7 1 71
5/25/2016 STL W,9-8 5 4 40

In fairness, though, Arrieta did everything in his power to keep the streak alive. Arrieta, who owns a 1.36 ERA over the last calendar year, didn't allow a run in his seven innings of work, surrendering just two hits (albeit with four walks) while fanning eight before yielding to Clayton Richard in the top of the eighth.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox