Watch: Error costs Cubs important game in playoff race

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Unbelievable error costs Cubs important game in tight playoff race

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 9/27/23

The Chicago Cubs looked like they were on their way to a huge win over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning.

That is when the unthinkable happened as right fielder Seiya Suzuki made the worst error of his career when he completely botched a routine fly ball that allowed both the tying and go-ahead runs to score. The latter of those runs ended up being the game-winning run in a 7-6 Braves win.

Here is a look at the play.

A brutal error by the Cubs gives the Braves the lead pic.twitter.com/d9HkOF3JTE
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 27, 2023

That was going to be the third out. Drew Smyly was going to be out of the inning and the Cubs were going to take a one-run lead into the ninth inning. Then it all went away.

Suzuki had a chance for redemption in the top of the ninth inning with a runner on base but struck out. He did hit an RBI triple earlier in the game.

It is very reminiscent of a similar error made by former outfielder Brant Brown back in the 1998 season, also during a playoff race for the Cubs.
In that instance the Cubs were at least able to rebound and still make the playoffs.

They do not have much margin for error this season.

With Tuesday's loss they are clinging to the final wild-card spot in the National League, just a half game ahead of the Miami Marlins with the Cincinnati Reds one-and-a-half games back. They are also a half game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot.
The Cubs' loss on Tuesday also clinched the National League Central division title for the Milwaukee Brewers.

There are only two wild-card spots remaining in the National League after the Philadelphia Phillies locked up one of them on Tuesday night with their 3-2 extra innings win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. That means the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Marlins and Reds are all fighting for just two playoff spots over the next few days.

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