Yankees fail to give Gerrit Cole much run support in 2-1 loss to Cubs

The Yankees couldn’t finish off a three-game sweep, falling to the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Here are the key takeaways…

–Gerrit Cole‘s afternoon got off to a bumpy start, in part because of some poor defense behind him. A Gleyber Torres error at second base eventually led to a bases-loaded jam, and Isaac Paredes took advantage with a soft, two-run single to center field, putting the Yankees in an early 2-0 hole.

Cole settled in well, though, and he celebrated his 34th birthday in style, going 6.0 innings while allowing just those two unearned runs in the first inning. Cole allowed just three hits and struck out seven while walking just one.

–Jazz Chisholm Jr. sparked the Yankees offense in the third, hitting a one-out double before eventually coming around to score on an Anthony Volpe sac fly to left.

But the Yankees weren’t able to do much against former Bomber Jameson Taillon, who scattered six hits and allowed one earned run over 6.0 innings of work.

The Yankees had plenty of chances to score in this one, but they went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.

–Aaron Judge came into the game having not homered in his last 11 games, the longest homerless drought of the season for the likely MVP winner.

Judge was kept in the ballpark once again, as he went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk.

Who was the game MVP?

Taillon, who lowered his season ERA to 3.57 with a quality start against his former squad.

Highlights

Upcoming schedule

The Yankees return to the Bronx for a seven-game homestand, starting with three games against the Kansas City Royals.

First pitch on Monday is set for 7:05 p.m., with Carlos Rodon facing Brady Singer.