LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Rizzos bat shattered into shards, and the ball trickled onto an empty patch of infield grass. The Chicago Cubs cleanup hitter scampered to first base in the ninth inning, getting just his second hit this postseason in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series.In an October of increasing offensive ineptitude, the powerful Cubs are looking for any kind of break to get them going.Thats the kind of hit that we needed, fellow slugger Kris Bryant said. Thats the hit that can spark a team.Except it didnt. This combustible offense remains quiet and cold -- and after a superlative regular season, the Cubs have been shut out in back-to-back playoff games.With its pitching staff again dominating one of baseballs best lineups, Los Angeles took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 6-0 victory Tuesday night over Jake Arrieta and the Cubs.If the Cubs dont find their offense before they leave LA, the most infamous championship drought in sports will stretch into next year.Chicago had never been blanked in two straight playoff games before the Dodgers did it. Chicagos 18 consecutive scoreless innings comprise the longest drought in the teams postseason history, two more than the 1906 squad.This 103-win club spent exactly one day out of first place this season, but the Cubs are trailing in the NLCS because their hitters have been silenced ever since that five-run eighth inning in a Game 1 victory.I dont gamble, but I probably wouldnt have gambled on that one, Chicago catcher Miguel Montero said.Including a 1-0 loss in Game 2, Chicago is a collective 6 for 60 with one extra-base hit over the last two games. The Cubs hadnt been shut out since Aug. 28, but Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill did it with plenty of help from closer Kenley Jansen.This is highly unusual for the Cubs, who were third in the big leagues with 808 runs during the regular season. They had the majors second-best on-base percentage before the postseason, but baserunners have been scarce for most of their seven playoff games, and their team batting average is languishing below .200.Were not hitting the ball hard, manager Joe Maddon said. Theyve pitched well. Obviously, I have no solid explanation. Weve just got to keep working at it. ... There is really no excuse. We just have to pick it up quickly.Chicago hadnt been shut out in consecutive games since May 2014, but the Cubs never really threatened against Los Angeles -- and their best hitters realize they bear the responsibility.MVP candidate Rizzo (2 for 26), Addison Russell (1 for 24), Jason Heyward (2 for 19), Dexter Fowler (5 for 28) and Ben Zobrist (4 for 26) are all struggling mightily in the postseason. The middle of Chicagos lineup is particularly lacking, and Maddons adjustments havent helped.The Cubs were baffled by Hill, the 36-year-old journeyman who was playing independent ball just more than 14 months ago. Hill threw six innings of two-hit ball, and Arrieta couldnt keep up in his return to the stadium where he threw a no-hitter in August 2015.The 2015 Cy Young Award winner had a middling NLCS start for the second straight season, giving up four runs and six hits to the Dodgers over five-plus innings. Last October, he gave up four runs and four hits over five innings to the Mets in Game 2 of New Yorks sweep.Maddon dropped Heyward from the lineup for Game 3, but replacement Jorge Soler went hitless and made two misplays in right field, although neither cost the Cubs any runs. Heyward struck out on three pitches as a pinch hitter to end the seventh, taking a terrible swing on a down-and-in slider from Joe Blanton.Fowlers two-out double in the eighth off reliever Grant Dayton was the Cubs first extra-base hit since Game 1, but Jansen promptly struck out Bryant. After Rizzos shattered-bat single, Jansen calmly finished off the win.The playoffs always provide small sample sizes of teams woes, but California pitching has flummoxed the Cubs through seven games in October. They didnt hit much even in the Division Series against San Francisco, batting a collective .200 with a meager .247 on-base percentage while relying on pitchers at the plate for an alarmingly big chunk of their runs in that four-game series victory.Game 4 on Wednesday suddenly looms as pivotal for the Cubs, who had five two-game skids in the second half of the season, but havent lost three straight since early July.Youre playing against great teams at this time of year, Montero said. You just try to live in the moment. And maybe you have to have a better plan. Jameson Taillon Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Josh Bell Pirates Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Francisco-Cervelli-pirates-jersey/ . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Chad Kuhl Jersey .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Starling Marte Pirates Jersey . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Derek Norris asks for pinch hitting advice from Oakland hitting coach Chili Davis and other veterans who have played in the NL. That assistance paid off on Saturday as Norris had a pinch-hit two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Athletics 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. "It does take a little different mindset," Norris said after getting his first career pinch hit in 17 at-bats. "Its not an easy thing to do. Relievers are so good these days you want to be aggressive and look for something early in the count." Jed Lowrie also drove in a run for the As, who won their second straight and five of seven overall. Coco Crisp added two hits. "Thats just the way we play baseball," Norris said. "Theres no one guy like a (Miguel) Cabrera or a Chris Davis. We have a group of guys who can put together things." Tommy Milone (9-8) allowed four hits over seven innings, allowing one run. He walked four and struck out six. "I felt good, minus the four walks," Milone said. "Id like to think thats not the type of pitcher I am. Fortunately none of them scored. It was nice to get through." Josh Hamilton hit a booming home run for the Angels, who lost their second straight and five of seven overall. Grant Richards, making his first start since April 30, pitched five shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out four. "I was just going to go out there and try not to overthrow," Richards said. "Strike one was a big priority for me." Ryan Cook pitched the eighth and Grant Balfour got the final three outs for his 28th save in 29 chances. Richards, who came out of the bullpen in his past 26 appearances, gave up seven runs in 5 2-3 innings in his last start, also against the As. "It started off a little fuzzy, with him trying to find his release point," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Once he did, he pitched a strong game." Scott& Downs (2-3) entered the game in the seventh after Dane De La Rosa got Chris Young to hit into a fielders choice.dddddddddddd The As countered with Norris, who promptly delivered his first career pinch hit, a two-run shot into right field bleachers that put the As ahead. "Not by any means do I have it figured out," Norris said. "Today it worked." Downs allowed his first run in 30 appearances, one short of tying the Angels club record. "I cant remember the last time Downs gave up a home run," Scioscia said. "You like the matchup with his sinker and hopefully he can get the double play ball." After getting an out, Crisp singled and scored when Lowrie doubled off the right field wall, ending Downs day. Hamiltons home run with one out in the second put the Angels ahead 1-0. Milone allowed three runs or more (5.79 ERA) in each of his six previous starts. The four hits matched his season low. "He gives up a home run right away and then he hangs in there," As manager Bob Melvin said. "The next thing you know, he gives us seven innings. We needed him to go seven based on our offence." NOTES: Angels DH Albert Pujols returned to Los Angeles to have his sore left foot evaluated. He aggravated the injury running out a single in the ninth inning of Fridays game. ... RHP Tommy Hansen (4-2, 4.75) starts Sundays series finale for the Angels. It will be his second start since returning from the DL. Hansen is 2-0 in three road starts. ... RHP Jarrod Parker (6-6, 3.79) makes the start for the Athletics on Sunday. Hes 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA over his past 10 starts. He has a no-decision in each of his past five starts. ... As LHP Brett Anderson threw a 51-pitch bullpen session, with a break in the middle. ... The Angels had won the past 14 games in which Hamilton recorded an RBI. ... The As and Angels participated in a Throwback Day to 1969, which included Country Joe McDonald, of Woodstock fame, singing the national anthem. ' ' '
