Robert Stephenson Better But Cubs Win

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Robert Stephenson believed he did alright even though he gave up two runs in 3 2/3 innings and was bailed out by a couple of line drive double plays in a game the Chicago Cubs held on to win 5-4.

Stephenson allowed five hits, walked two, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and committed a balk.  It was a busy night. He was surrounded by baserunners for the first two innings.

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Two players with Cincinnati connections but Stephenson in jeopardy right away.  Ian Happ of UC and Kyle Schwarber from Middletown singled to open the game.  Willson Contreras walked to load the bases.  Addison Russell struck out but Albert Almora Jr. singled to score Happ.  Victor Caratini lined to Phillip Ervin in center field.  Ervin doubled Contreras off secondbase.

The second inning didn't start so well either.  Mike Freeman singled and Ryan Court was hit by a pitch after Stephenson balked Freeman to third.  Jon Lester of all people, the opposing pitcher, dumped a single into center.  Happ walked.  Schwarber hit a bullet to Cliff Pennington at second base, who double up the stunned Lester.

"The results on the scoreboard weren't exactly what I want but I was a lot happier with the way I pitched today Stephenson said.  "My off speed stuff was working a lot better.  In the first inning I was a little amped up. I felt like I was being aggressive with every thing.  In the second inning there were a couple of lazy hits. Overall I was happy with the way I pitched."

The last two innings were better.  Stephenson fanned Contreras and Russell and took care of Almora on a lazy pop to firstbaseman, Joey Votto, who played the entire game.  Ervin dropped a fly to deep center that he had to run down but he should have made the catch and was charged with an error.  Stephenson finished by striking out Freeman and Court.

"It got better for Stephenson," Bryan Price said.  "The defense helped him out with a couple of double plays which was big.  He kept himself in there to the fourth inning which was good.  We're still looking to get him where he's repeating good quality pitching.  After the first couple innings he went to a higher breaking ball mix, slider, curveball. It helped him manage the game."

The Reds erased the Cubs lead against Lester in the fourth.

Devin Mesoraco singled off the wall in right.  The ball got out there in a hurry. It was hit hard.  Scooter Gennett, the designated hitter, double down the leftfield line.  Gennett is hampered by a sore shoulder.  Peraza scored Mesoraco and Gennett with a single up the middle.
Caratini doubled high off the wall in center to put the Cubs up, 5-2

The Reds got a run back in the bottom of the inning.  Rosell Herrera singled.  Ervin doubled Herrera to third.  Phil Gosselin's long fly to center scored Herrera.

The Reds made it a one-run game in the against Anthony Bass.  Mesoraco doubled with two out. Tony Cruz singled to score Mesoraco.  Peraza singled but Kyle Ryan bailed out Bass.

Tanner Rainey struck out two Cub batters in a perfect sixth.  Jared Hughes dropped his ERA to 1.50 with a perfect seventh.

David Hernandez had a scoreless frame when Ben Revere made a diving catch in left.  Alex Blandino started a quick double play.  Blandino made another nice play in the eighth.  Oliver Perez turned in his second straight scoreless outing.

"We made a couple double plays, a couple of line drive double plays we were able to turn.  Revere was outstanding.  Blandino made a couple of nice plays.  All in all some good things," Price said.