Nick Senzel opened the game with a walk, Red hot Joey Votto hit a line fly to left that Middletown's own, Kyle Schwarber easily got to but the ball bounced off his glove for an error. It became costly as Eugenio Suarez' 17th home run of the season dented the wall of the Riverboat replica high above the batter's eye in straight away center field.
"I didn't see where Suarez drive landed," David Bell said. "It never came down. Geno obvious has good power to be able to do that against a good pitcher. It went a long way but the main thing is went over the fence."
It was Suarez third home run in June after hitting seven in each of the first two months. It was his fourth home run in 35 at bats against Lester.
Anthony DeSclafani pitched six scoreless innings as the beneficiary. He needed some help from a fan. After retiring eight straight batters after Schwarber opened the game with an infield single, Schwarber singled with two out. Kris Bryant followed with a double to bring up the dangerous Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo hit a fly down the left field line. Phil Ervin chased it into foul territory after a long run. A fan reached over the rail and got a glove on it as Ervin set up to make the catch. Third base umpire made no call. The Reds appealed and Rizzo was ruled out on fan interference.
"Rizzo's was a huge out. They had momentum and that put a stop to it. A huge, huge turn of events," DeSclafani said.
Ervin was there to make the catch and believes it was his ball to field.
"I believe I catch that for sure. There wasn't much I could really do," Ervin said. "I'm glad they got it over turned."
"It was nice to have the lead," DeSclafani said. "The last time they got to me pretty quick. I made quality pitches when I needed to. It has been a struggle getting through innings quick and clean. It was good to have an outing where things were kind of rolling along."
Lester recovered from Suarez blast and retired the next 14 Reds' batters. Curt Casali's two out single in the fifth inning was the Reds' second hit of the game. Senzel singled. Lester went 3-2 on Votto but got him on a controversial called third strike. Votto was not pleased with home plate umpire Alan Porter's call.
The Reds finally added another run but squandered a chance for more. Suarez hit a line drive down the left field line. He beat the throw to second but couldn't hold the bag, sliding past it. He was tagged out. Yasiel Puig walked and stole second base. Ervin blooped a single to right to allow Puig to score. That was all for Lester. Rowan Wick completed the inning with no more runs crossing.
DeSclafani allowed six hits and a walk while striking out seven before being removed for pinch hitter Jesse Winker.
"DeSclafani was outstanding," Bell said. "When you're in a situation like that against this team or any team we had a chance to add on runs. Our bullpen was rested and our bullpen has been outstanding. It wasn't an easy decision but one that I felt good about."
The Cubs came back in the seventh off Michael Lorenzen. Addison Russell doubled to open the inning. One out later Albert Almora Jr. singled Russell home. Schwarber hit his his 18th home run to left to make it a one-run game. Bryant followed with a double. Amir Garrett came on to face Rizzo which is becoming a recurring match up between the two teams in late-game situations. Rizzo bounced out up the middle to Jose Iglesias as Bryant moved to third Contreras hit a ground ball
Then Reds put a scare into Wick in the bottom of the seventh. Casali walked. Senzel hit a long fly to right headed for the stands. Jason Heyward, who hit a home run in each of the first two games of the series, prevented one, reaching above the wall to catch Senzel's bid for his ninth home run. Votto hit into a double play to end the inning.
Garrett walked Heyward to start the eighth. David Bell pulled Votto and brought in Raisell Iglesias. Derek Dietrich went to first. Baez, who was getting the day off with an aching heal, pinch hit. Baez stuck out swinging. Russel went down swinging. Daniel Descalso walked to move the tying run to second base. Iglesias threw a wild pitch to add drama before Almora fouled out to Casali.
Puig singled off Dillon Maples and stole second base with two outs, setting up Ervin's second RBI single of the game. Jose Peraza was hit with a pitch for the second time in the game. It was Peraza, who Maples hit that caused Bell to be ejected on Saturday. Peraza waved to the mound in protest.
"Phil came through with two tough at bats," Bell said. "Sometimes it isn't the hardest hit ball that's the big hit. It is the at bat you grind out and find a way to put the ball in play."
Ervin had a great spring training camp and did everything he could to make the team but he had options left. He has been a team player accepting the frequent trips to the minor leagues in stride. Perhaps the struggle to stay here has made him tougher in clutch situations.
"It is always important to add on when you get that chance," Ervin said. "I was up there trying to fight. I tried to fight off good pitches to get something to hit. He just kept throwing good pitches and I was just fighting them off. Somehow those two found some grass."
"I feel like I have to keep playing, and stuff will work itself out," Ervin said. "When I get sent down, I try to be a team player if they feel like it will help the team, I'm with it. I like this team and I want to be a part of it. They tell me they need extra arms and pitchers, I'm with it. I'm going to play my hardest and do what I have to do to be here. It is part of the business. It makes me a little more stronger."
Joe Maddon brought in lefty Kyle Ryan to pitch to Dietrich. Bell countered with Kyle Farmer. Bell's strategy won as Farmer restored the Reds' three-run lead. Casali walked to reach base for the third time and load the bases. Senzel's ground single to left put the game out of "slam range".
Bryant walked and Rizzo singled but Iglesias struck out Willson Contreras for the second out in the ninth but Heyward hit his third home run of the series and 14th of the year but it only made it a two-run game. Baez popped out to Farmer at first to insure the 14th save for Iglesias.
"I was going to give Raisel opportunity to finish that game," Bell said. "Iggy was well rested as long as he was attacking the strike zone with the bigger lead. He was going to have the opportunity."
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