Chicago – During Wednesday night’s series clash at Wrigley Field, Cubs reliever Trent Thornton was removed from the game after a shaky fifth inning and responded with a visibly angry outburst in the dugout.

Game context

The Cubs entered the top of the fifth trailing 6-5. Thornton had entered the previous inning with two outs and a runner on third, striking out Luis Lara to end that frame. He returned to the mound to start the fifth, beginning with a strikeout of Christian Yelich, but then walked Joey Ortiz and surrendered singles to Cooper Pratt and Jackson Chourio, prompting manager Craig Counsell to pull him.

Thornton’s reaction

After being taken out, Thornton walked back to the dugout, paced a few steps, and then let loose. He slammed his glove onto the bench and shouted profanities, a moment captured by nearby fans and quickly shared on social media. While the outburst was intense, the Cubs’ bullpen held steady afterward, with Ryan Rolison retiring the next two hitters to keep the score at 6-5.

Season performance

Thornton, now in his first season with Chicago, has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen. In 44 appearances he has posted a 3.40 ERA over 45 innings and recorded three saves. His overall contributions have helped the Cubs stay competitive in the National League Central.

Series outlook

Despite Thornton’s frustration, the Cubs were unable to generate offense for the remainder of the game, ultimately falling 9-5. The loss drops Chicago to 78-62, while the Brewers improve to 87-53. The two clubs will meet again Thursday at 7:15 p.m. ET, with Chicago hoping to split the four‑game series and keep pace in the division race.

Local impact

For Chicago fans, the incident underscores the pressure on the team’s pitching staff as the season heads into its final stretch. While emotions ran high on the field, the organization remains focused on delivering consistent performances that reflect the city’s proud baseball tradition.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.