Maddon: No thought of lifting Soler in key spot

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CHICAGO — In the eighth inning Wednesday night, the Cubs trailed the Padres by a run, but had the bases loaded and two outs. Jorge Soler, who had struck out in his three previous at-bats, was up. And he struck out again.

The Cubs lost, 1-0, and for the first time this season, they have dropped back-to-back games, with the Padres completing a doubleheader sweep. Addison Russell was available on the Cubs’ bench. Did Chicago manager Joe Maddon consider lifting Soler for a pinch-hitter?

“Of course not,” Maddon said. “You don’t do that. This is a guy who is a big part of our future. He could’ve just as easily hit the ball over the wall, get a knock. There’s really no thought of that.”

Soler had battled Padres’ starter Drew Pomeranz in the first inning, eventually getting called out on strikes after a 10-pitch at-bat. The young outfielder is batting .175.

“He had to cover a lot of strike zone, so that makes it a little more difficult,” Maddon said of Soler’s night. “He’s fine. There’s not a thing wrong with him. He had a tough night but ‘George’ will be just fine. You can’t read into one game …

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