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Levine: Joe Maddon Stays Positive As Cubs Slump

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon has had a hustling, fun group of players this season for the most part. The Maddon credo of "Respect 90" means hustle at all times when you're on the field.

Sunday's 11-5 blowout loss to the last-place Phillies not only was avoidable, but it was the first time the Cubs have been swept since late June and only the second time in 2015.

"Respect 90" wasn't he case on Sunday. Maddon's outfield looked like a tired, indifferent group. Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler appeared to be asleep at the wheel. He took lousy routes in the field, slowly picking up balls and casually throwing them back to the infield.

Turning doubles into triples rarely leads to victory. Ever the positive guy, Maddon refused to rip his players in public. Rest assured, private conversations about preparation and effort will take place by the coaching staff.

"For me, obviously a lot of times when you are not hitting, it exaggerates the negative surroundings," Maddon said. "The ancillary items of that game become more pronounced when you're not hitting. People tend to become negative about them. I really never want to go there. It is just how this thing (slumps) play out sometimes."

The hangover from being no-hit by Cole Hamels on Saturday shouldn't have included looking like you're playing ball in the backyard with some friends. Center fielder Dexter Fowler, despite hitting a home run, was guilty of a nonchalant throw from center, allowing a run to cross home in the Phillies' three-run fourth inning.

This game stood out because Maddon has gotten the most out of his roster this season. If any manager had gotten more out of his club this year, it would be shocking news. Entering play with nine relief pitchers and three catchers, Maddon has done a tremendous job with an awkward mix on the bench for most of the season.

Maddon is much like the favorite teacher you had in high school. That person made learning fun and trusted you to learn within the realm of your skill set. Taking those teachers, or in this case a manager, for granted usually didn't have a pretty end result for the perpetrator.

The master of motivation continued to manage the team out of its mood with some Bill Veeck-like fun. Maddon put veteran catcher David Ross in the game to pitch the ninth inning. In his second relief appearance this season, Ross responded with a one-two-three ninth. He enhanced the mood change with a long home run to lead off the bottom half of the inning.

"Other than it was a lot of fun, it saved our bullpen," Ross said. "It put a smile on a couple of guys' faces."

The Cubs have lost four of their last five games and nine of their last 14. Facing sub-.500 teams has meant little in the team's quest to stay in the wild card mix. Chicago is now 2.5 games back of San Francisco for the second NL wild-card slot.

"That is why baseball is such a great game," said Cubs starter Jason Hammel, who gave up six runs in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss. "You just don't know what you're going to get every day. Any given day any team can win. It is a 100-year-old game that is constantly changing. Day in and day out, you don't know who the good or bad team is."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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