Don’t blame Joe Maddon for Clayton Richard’s struggles

1:45 AM ET

CHICAGO — Don’t blame Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon for his team’s first loss in 24 regular-season games with Jake Arrieta on the mound.

Yes, it was his decision to pull Arrieta after seven innings and 107 pitches in a scoreless game and bring in lefty Clayton Richard, only to see Richard give up three straight hits in the eighth, opening the door Tuesday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 5-0 win. While there can always be more than one right move, Maddon didn’t make a bad decision:

It was 0-0 game, so bringing in his high-leverage relievers, who all pitched the night before, isn’t a slam dunk.

There were four lefties in a row due up and Travis Wood threw four innings one night earlier. He was unavailable.

If a rested Richard can’t be used with four …

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