In a disappointing start to their series against the San Diego Padres, the Chicago Cubs suffered a 10-4 loss at Petco Park, marred by defensive miscommunication and missed opportunities. The Cubs held a two-run lead until the sixth inning, where a critical uncaught fly ball allowed the Padres to tie the game, eventually leading to their loss. Manager Craig Counsell and players like Ian Happ recognized that the team fell victim to their own mistakes, failing to execute defensive plays and allowing the Padres to capitalize.

The Cubs had been performing well defensively this season, ranking fourth in MLB for fielding percentage. However, against the Padres, who remain undefeated at home, the Cubs' errors proved costly. Brad Keller struggled in relief, leading to a series of unfortunate events, including walks and soft singles that further compounded the Cubs' defensive issues. Despite this setback, Happ expressed confidence in the team's ability to rebound in the upcoming games.