“Made mistakes, didn’t fold”- Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell praises team’s grit despite losing to Padres

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 17, 2025, 10:35 IST

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After a home loss, the San Diego Padres rebounded with a 4-2 victory against the Chicago Cubs, tying their best start since 1998. Despite injuries sidelining key players like Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth, Fernando Tatis Jr. credits teamwork for their success.

“Made mistakes, didn’t fold”- Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell praises team’s grit despite losing to Padres

Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell praises team’s grit despite losing to Padres (Image Source: Getty)

It was a difficult day for the San Diego Padres after they lost at home on Tuesday, which brought a sudden end to their record home winning streak. However, by Wednesday, the Padres gave everything to the game, added more strength, power, and strategic moves, to finally make a solid comeback and only to beat the Chicago Cubs by 4-2. However, Chicago Cubs' manager Craig Counsell believes, despite losing the game, none of the team players gave up.

Chicaco Cubs’ Craig Counsell believes the team didn’t give up

While the Chicago Cubs’ game against the San Diego was going well, all of a sudden, things went haywire in the fifth inning. Chicago Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell best described the entire fiasco on the field. He said:
“That was just grit… We made mistakes, but we did not fold.”

While San Diego Padres’ manager Mike Shildt said the team handled deviations well:
“It speaks to the depth, It speaks to the mentality of the team. It’s never going to be a straight line. … It’s how you handle the deviations.”
The Cubs had two chances to catch the easy pop-up balls and end the at-bat, however, they dropped both chances. This one opportunity led the Padres’ batter to have another chance, while he made the most of it and secured a win. Manny Machado entered the difficult situation and hit a home run.

About the home run, Machado said:
“I was definitely excited to see some more pitches.”

San Diego Padres comes back stronger but challenges ahead

Thanks to this win, now it is tied to the team’s best start in 19 games, which is now matching their great 1998 season. While this score, game, players and the moves look like everything in place and things are perfectly fine, the season however, hasn't been easy for the San Diego Padres, while having to face challenges. However, at least they are off to a promising start.

The issue at hand with the Padres is that more than one fourth of the Padres' best players are still on the injured list. In the last eight days, the Padres lost Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, and Brandon Lockridge to injuries. The team, however, has managed to win some accolades, despite so many injuries.
Team player Fernando Tatis Jr. claims it’s because the whole team works together and supports each other. Everyone is stepping up and doing their part.

Also Read: "Grow It Back": Padres Fans Divided Over Dylan Cease's Clean-Shaven Transformation

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TOI Sports Desk

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