Rookie right-hander Javier Assad persuaded Cubs manager David Ross to let him pitch the eighth inning Saturday, based on his perfect seventh and a dominant performance in the World Baseball Classic for his native Mexico last month.
Even with more experienced relievers rested and available, Ross stuck with Assad until it was too late, as evidenced by the first three batters that reached base and eventually scored. That transformed a one-run lead into a 3-1 loss to the Brewers before 31,363 chilled fans at Wrigley Field.
