The virtual Cubs would gladly take a 15-hit, 3 home run day like they had in Sunday’s simulated game on MLB The Show. But they’d quickly like to forget the pitching performance that happened.

The Cubs used 7 pitchers, struggling to slow down the Diamondbacks offense in a 9-8 loss as our 2020 season simulation continued. The Cubs fell to 20-15 on the season and travel to Los Angeles to take on the first-place Dodgers.

Kris Bryant started the game strong for the Cubs, hitting a solo home run to left field to start the scoring. It was the 5^th home run of the season for Bryant.

The Diamondbacks tied the game at 1, but the Cubs rallied to take a 3-1 lead. Arizona quickly answered, scoring 3 runs in the 4^th, forcing Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood out of the game after pitching 3+ innings. The Diamondbacks added another run in the 5^th, making 5-3.

Jason Kipnis crushed a 2-run home run in the 6^th to give the Cubs the lead back again. The see-saw game continued with the Diamondbacks scoring 2 in the bottom half of the 6^th to take the lead.  

Javy Báez responded with a 3-run home run in the 8^th that gave the Cubs an 8-7 lead. The Diamondbacks had another rally in them, though, as they scored a pair of runs off solo home runs in the bottom of the 8^th off reliever Dan Winkler to seal the win.

Kyle Hendricks takes the bump for the virtual Cubs in the series opener against the Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday afternoon on our Facebook page.

Catch the full game below: