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          Chicago Cubs Report

          Don't blame Joe Maddon for Clayton Richard's struggles

          • Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff WriterJun 1, 2016, 01:17 AM ET
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              Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
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          CHICAGO -- Don't blame Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon for his team's first loss in 24 regular-season games with Jake Arrieta on the mound.

          Yes, it was his decision to pull Arrieta after seven innings and 107 pitches in a scoreless game and bring in lefty Clayton Richard, only to see Richard give up three straight hits in the eighth, opening the door Tuesday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-0 win. While there can always be more than one right move, Maddon didn't make a bad decision:

          • It was 0-0 game, so bringing in his high-leverage relievers, who all pitched the night before, isn't a slam dunk.

          • There were four lefties in a row due up and Travis Wood threw four innings one night earlier. He was unavailable.

          • If a rested Richard can't be used with four lefties coming to the plate then what use is he?

          That last point is the one you're probably nodding your head at but that one needs to be made to the Cubs' front office -- not the manager. Richard is on the roster -- he has amassed only nine innings this season so Maddon has already avoided him -- but at some point he needs to pitch or the Cubs need to move on.

          "It was a perfect slot for him tonight," Maddon said afterwards "To attempt to not beat up the rest of your bullpen. It was a tie ballgame. It couldn't have lined up better for him. I have a lot of faith in him. We just have to get him more work. That's the kind of moment he's here for. It just didn't happen tonight, but I still have a lot of confidence in him."

          You can call Maddon out for those comments regarding a pitcher with an 8.00 ERA who has given up 16 hits and three walks in nine innings, but no manager is going to call out the losing pitcher 15 minutes after a game.

          Maddon admitted Richard's pitches were up, hence some balls hit to the outfield instead of the soft grounders he can sometimes induce. In any case, until the Cubs' front office deems Richard isn't worthy of a coveted spot in the bullpen for the best team in baseball, don't blame the manager when he uses Richard in the exact role the Cubs employ him for.