Tyler Mahle Stifles Cubs In Reds First Win Of 2018

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Tyler Mahle became an instant Cubs killer on his first start of the season, pitching the Reds to a 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Mahle walked UC's Ian Happ to open the game and one out later hit Ryan Rizzo with a pitch but he broke the opponents streak for scoring first inning runs by striking out Willson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber.

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"The Cubs made him throw a lot of pitches in the first inning," Bryan Price said.  "He got into attack mode after that. There aren't too many easy outs in their lineup. Holding anyone to no runs is hard to do. His aggressiveness and knowledge of pitching is what he does well."

The Reds immediately threatened Tyler Chatwood by loading the bases on walks to Jesse Winker and Cliff Pennington and a one-out single by Scooter Gennett.   Eugenio Suarez hit into a 4-3 double play to end the inning.

Mahle caught the first two Cubs' batters in the second looking but gave up Chicago's first hit with a twisting triple that Winker could have and probably should have caught.  Mahle ended the inning by striking out Chatwood looking.

"It was huge to get the first win.  It was going to happen regardless. I'm glad that it happened n  a game that I started," Mahle said.  "We played good defense.  The other pitchers did a great job."

Mahle, who is not one to call attention to himself, was described as stoic.

"I don't want to say it's refreshing because guys have to be who they are but he is reserved and can stay in the moment," Price said.

Mahle pitched out of first inning trouble and allowed just one hit.  He struck out seven to establish a career high.  He made four starts last season.  This off-season he worked a lot on his slider and change up.

"The slider and change up came along in the last couple of innings," Mahle said. "I was able to command my fastball and take over the game kind of with my fastball.  That makes my change up and slider better."

Pennington, making his first start as a Red, turned a short hop to his back hand side into a double play in the fourth.

The Reds responded with their first lead of the season.  Suarez led off with a triple over Happ's head in center.  Adam Duvall hit a ground ball wide of third.  Kris Bryant threw Duvall out as Suarez scored.

The Reds mounted another threat in the sixth.  Suarez walked and with one out Tucker Barnhart dumped a hit in front of Happ that dribbled away far enough for Barnhart to reach second base.  Billy Hamilton hit a weak ground ball in front of the plate.  Chatwood shoveled the ball to Contreras, who tagged Suarez out at home.  Phil Gosselin pinch hit for Mahle and struck out.

Mahle finished with six scoreless innings, allowing one hit, two walks and a hit batter.

Jared Hughes took over on the mound for the Reds, throwing a scoreless inning.  Wandy Peralta struck out Jason Heyward and Javier Baez to start the eighth but he walked pinch hitter Ben Zobrist.  Happ singled to left.  Price brought in Raisel Iglesias.  Iglesias walked Bryant but struck out Rizzo with the bases loaded.

"It was going to be a heater the whole way," Barnhart said.  "Pitching and defense wins you games.  Everybody played well today.  A lot of the young guys were have are extremely composed.  Tyler is always composed.  I've never seen him upset.  He works quick and throws strikes.  You can get behind that."

The Reds missed a chance for an insurance run in the bottom of the inning.  Suarez reached on Bryant's error and went to third on a single by Barnhart but Addison Russell ran down Hamilton's flair to keep the game tight.

Iglesias earned his first save with a perfect ninth inning.

The Cubs were shut out for the second straight game after losing 6-0 to the Miami Marlins on Monday.  That was the first time they have been shut out in back-to-back games since the Dodgers did it to them last year on May 26 and 27.