Pirates Shackle Reds To Pilfer The Series

  

Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen homered to power the Pittsburgh Pirates while Luis Ortiz shackled the Reds to win the rubber game of the series, 6-1.

Tellez singled to open the second inning. He was forced at second by Ke'Bryan Hayes. Graham Ashcraft walked Conner Joe. Jack Suwinski singled to drive in the first run of the game.

The Reds tied the game in the third inning. Stuart Fairchild singled to leadoff. He took second on a balk. The red hot Jonathan India doubled, his second hit of the game, to score Fairchild.

India has an eight game hitting streak and five straight multi-hit games. He has been on base in 11 straight plate appearances.

Tellez recaptured the lead for the Pirates with a first row line drive into the left field stands off Ashcraft. It was his third of the season.

"It's been a long season, the ups and downs," Tellez said "It's nice to get that going. We're playing some good ball. When the team playing good it's always a relief. Any time you can take two of three in the division. It's always nice."

Andrew McCutchen hit his 11th home run with Jason Delay, who doubled on base in the fifth inning.

"McCutchen has both (power and speed)," Shelton said. "I'm not sure Rowdy does. He stole a base the other day. I think he was proud that they picked over."

Delay hit his second double of the game to plate two runs with two out in the sixth. 

Ortiz allowed just four hits in six innings. He made his first big league appearance at GABP on September 13, 2022. Delay was his catcher that day.

"I had confidence in my pitches and attacking the strike zone, said Ortiz through an interpreter. "I was excited when they told me I starting. I wanted to show I could do my job either starting or out of the bullpen."

"I was a starter for many years and I like that role too. I will do thIe job the team wants me to do. I'm available"

It was Ortiz first start of the season after performing long and short relief roles.

"Ortiz had been in the bulk role which is similar to a start but to start the game. The biggest thing was no walks. He gave up the run came back and had a shut down inning. Overall, it was extremely impressive," Derek Shelton said. "Carmen (Mlodzinski) threw yesterday. I think with the way they (Reds) construct their lineup, I thought it was a good matchup for us. At some point we wanted to give him a start. We thought today was the appropriate day."

Ashcraft in his first day back from exile in Louisville, allowed six runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"The first couple innings felt really good," Ashcraft said. "The rest of the game, I was falling behind. I have to keep filling up the strike zone."

Former Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman followed two scoreless innings by Kyle Nicolas to finish off the Reds.

 Derek Shelton

" We bounced back really well. We didn't play well the first day here. We didn't throw the ball well. To bounce back in a division series was really important for us."

Luis Ortiz through interpreter

(Ortiz made his debut hear on September 13, 2022.)

Rowdy Tellez

Pirates Plunder Reds Taking Advantage Of Sick Starter

  

The Pittsburgh Pirates shot an offensive salvo across the bow of the Reds with an easy, 9-5 win.

The win put the Pirates one game ahead of the Reds with a 38-41 record to the Reds 37-42, insuring the Reds with a losing first half.

The first inning made Reds' starter Hunter Greene sick. He walked Andrew McCutchen to start the game. Greene vomited on the mound and the Reds' medical staff came out to check on him. He stayed in the game. Bryan Reynolds hit a 3-2 pitch into the seats in right field. His 13th home run extended his hitting streak to a career and big league high 22 games. Rowdy Tellez walked and stole second. Jared Triolo singled to score Tellez.

"Nobody really knows (what caused it) but it is a lot of liquid built up in my system," Greene said. "The only way it seems to come out is by vomiting. It just sits on my chest."

Jonathan India walked to start the inning and stole second. Elly De La Cruz ground out to second moved India to third. Jeimer Candelario topped a grounder to Mitch Keller the Pirates starter. He threw India out at home.

The Pirates plundered Greene in the third inning. Five straight singles scored two runs, one came when the Reds fell asleep getting the ball into the infield on Edward Olivares single. Oneil Cruz jogged to third but turned on the speed to score while Jake Fraley lobbed the ball in from right and De La Cruz fell asleep.

Greene left after four innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five. It was the first time since April 16 at Seattle that he pitched as few as four innings. Both are season lows for innings pitched. 

"No one wants to go out and get sick," Greene said. "After that I did a good job of getting ahead of hitters but didn't do a good job of putting them away."

Greene appears to be ok.

"Other than the first it was a rough first inning," David Bell said. "Getting sick on the mound has some sort of effect. Hunter has been so good for us. He finished the fourth strong. He'll be ready for his next start."

Buck Farmer came into the game with 32 straight innings without allowing a home run. Nick Gonzales singled with two outs and Triolo hit his third home run. A straight line drive that cleared the left field wall by inches. 

The Reds left five runners in scoring position in the first four innings but got three runs in the fifth. India reached base for the third time with a walk. De La Cruz hit a double that fell in front of Michael Taylor's diving attempt at a catch. Candelario drove in a run with a ground out. Spencer Steer doubled inside the third base bag to score De La Cruz. Tyler Stephenson tripled to plate Steer with the third run.

Yosver Zulueta made his first appearance in the big leagues. He walked the first two batters then struck out Reynolds and Oneil. Tellez singled and Taylor just beat Will Benson's throw home. Zulueta then struck out Olivares for his third punch out of the inning.

India doubled and De La Cruz tripled off the glove of Taylor for the Reds' fourth run. The triple by De La Cruz was later changed to an error.

Zulueta pitched three innings, allowing a run on one hit and two walks. He struck out four.

Reds Force Pittsburgh To Walk The Plank With Offensive Barrage Off The Boat

  

The Pittsburgh Pirates started the day one game ahead of the Reds as they opened a three-game series on Monday. The Reds offense blasted the Pirates putting up an 11-5 win.

These two teams scored a total of nine runs combined in the three-game series last week but Spencer Steer drove in three runs, Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz had three hits, including hit 14th home run of the riverboat in centerfield.

"All day we were messing around with each other to see how hard we could hit it," India said. "I was getting him in BP. He said no way. He said, you can't hit it harder than me. I said you can't even hit the boat. And then he did it in the game and I was in awe. I couldn't believe he did it. I think we'll do it every day."

Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 21 games after the Pirates got two infield hits from Edward Olivares and Andrew McCutchen.

Bailey Falter, the Pirates starter, faced nine batters in the first three innings, retiring all of them. He was forced to face all nine batters in the fourth inning and the Reds took command.

India and De La Cruz singled up the middle. Jeimer Candalario hit a high chop to first base. Rowdy Tellez had one play and it was a throw to Falter covering. The runners moved up a base. Spencer delivered the Reds' lead with a double to the left center field alley. Tyler Stephenson reached on an infield hit. Stuart Fairchild doubled the same gap to score two more runs. He went to third on a throwing error. Santiago Espinal walked. Levi Jordan, making his first major league appearance, hit a long fly ball to right driving in his first run.

The Pirates got two runs back against Carson Spiers. Olivares, Jack Suwinski and Yasmai Grandal singled for one run. After McCutchen flied out. Reynolds walked to load the bases. Cruz hit into a force play to allow Suwinski to score but Tellez was called to preserve the margin.

Spiers picked up his first career win with six innings, in which he allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out five.

"I kind of got singled to death early," Speirs said. "Three hits to start the inning. DJ (pitching coach Derek Johnson) came out and we regrouped. It was awesome to celebrate with these guys and it's cool to celebrate with Levi (Jordan). He's one of my guys down in Triple A. We've had a fun season together."

The Reds got those two back. India doubled. De La Cruz hit a ground ball up the middle off the glove of the diving Nick Gonzales. De La Cruz took second and scored on a single by Steer, who drove in his third run of the game. 

The Reds poured it on against Daulton Jefferies. Jordan doubled for his first Major League hit. Luke Maile drove him home with a single. India, second double and third hit of the game preceded De La Cruz' 14th home run 439' off the river boat in center field. 

"It was everything I expected and a lot more," Jordan said. "I think every kid dreams of playing in the big leagues someday.  I grew up watching baseball and being a fan of it, then getting the opportunity to play. I've just been so overwhelmed before the game, during the game and after so far. Everybody has reached out. And the fans, I've never been in a situation where people cheered for me like that, just for my debut. That was worth some chills."

Oneil Cruz hit his 11th home run off Fernando Cruz in the seventh inning. 

Olivares had three hits for the Pirates.

Red Sox Deal Reds Second Straight Loss. Jerran Duran And Connor Wong 13 Game Streaks Provide Offense

  

The Boston Red Sox got all the bounces and the calls in two big innings to forge a 7-4 win over the Reds.

Connor Wong extended his hitting streak to 13 games with his seventh home run of the season with Rafael Devers on base with a walk.

The fourth inning home run off Nick Lodolo put the Red Sox ahead 2-0.

The Red Sox took advantage of some close ball and strike calls and a throwing error to plate two more runs. Romy Gonzalez doubled after Wong's blast. Dominic Smith walked on a close pitch. 

David Bell was ejected for the 3rd time this season and 30th time as a Reds' manager, tying Sparky Anderson.

"It's an emotional game. I was reminded today that I'm not supposed to say anything," David Bell said.

Ceddane Rafaela hit into a potential double play ball to Elly De La Cruz but Jonathan India's relay sailed into the Reds' dugout. Gonzalez scored. Duran doubled for his second hit to score Rafaela with the fourth run.

Wong and Duran extended hitting streaks to 13 games.

Lodolo started the game with a blister on his index finger but battled through 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned on five hits and an uncharacteristic four walks that hurt.

"They were competitive pitches," Lodolo said. "I don't think it affected me. Off course you'd like to get the call but I've got to do a better job. It is hard to come back when you give up four runs." 

"Lodolo was pretty good,Bell said. "He started the game with a pretty good blister. To be able to do what he did. It really affected him mostly on the curve ball. He was able to throw some good ones. It was a pretty good effort right there."

De La Cruz doubled off Brennan Bernadino to open the bottom of the inning. Jeimer Candelario singled him home to close the gap. 

Duran's third hit drove home David Hamilton, who doubled with two outs off Brent Suter. Rob Refsnyder hit his third home run to put Boston ahead, 7-1.

The Red Sox got away with a bullpen game with Zack Kelly, Brennan Bernadino, Greg Weissert, and Cam Booser held the Reds to one run through five innings. 

Steer was hit by a pitch in the sixth by Brad Keller. Tyler Stephenson doubled and Steer scored when Wilyer Abreu fumbled the ball in right field. Stephenson was credited with an RBI. India's second hit of the game put runners on the corners. Santiago Espinal singled to score Stephenson. Stuart Fairchild sin singled to score India. TJ Friedl flied out to deep center to end the inning.

Kenley Jansen picked up his 14th save for the Red Sox.

Red Sox Rally To Beat Reds Jarren Duran Shines For The Sox

  

The Boston Red Sox evened the series with the Reds with a two-run rally in the eighth inning, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win, 4-3.

Jarren Duran singled twice, robbed a home run and scored on a short foul fly ball that went just 224 feet to deal the Reds a blow.

"What a player huh? (Duran)," Alex Cora said. "In all aspects of the game, running, that's the most important thing. Now he knows what he needs to do on a daily basis to perform at this level. From the leadoff hit to the play at the end the tag at third base (the ball was 224 feet from home), that was a fun game to watch. It was a tough play because he (Fairchild) had to go full speed and he has to slow down. He was a little flat footed. If you see him flat footed, you got to go. We got to take chances. Athleticism wise we can steal a game."

The Reds were 31-1 when leading after six innings.

For the second time in the series, the Reds jumped on the Red Sox starter with two outs in the first inning.  Jeimer Candelario hit a hard grounder off starter, Nick Pivetta for an infield single. Spencer Steer launched his ninth home run into the second deck in left field to put the Reds up 2-0 after an inning. 

Elly De La Cruz hit his 13th home run in the third to extend the Reds' lead.

Dominic Smith hit his third home run of the season in the fifth to break the shutout against Frankie Montas.

The Red Sox got back-to-back doubles by Wilyer Abreu and Connor Wong, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games cut the lead to one run. 

The Reds ran themselves out of two scoring chances in the fifth and sixth. TJ Friedl was thrown out at the plate in the fifth. De La Cruz was picked off second to end the inning. Jake Fraley was tagged out on a swinging bunt off the bat of Nick Martini by catcher Wong.

Sam Moll replaced Montas, who pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk.

The Red Sox grabbed the lead against Justin Wilson. Ceddanne Rafaela hit an infield single that Candelario threw away to put the leadoff runner on second. Duran singled for the second time of the game. He extended his hitting streak to12 games. Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder singled to tie the game. Duran scored on a foul sacrifice fly by Rafael Devers.

"I decided to go home right away on the sacrifice fly," Duran said. "Huddy (third base coach) was in my ear. We're going. We're going. We're going. I was fully committed to going home."

Kenley Janson came into the game in the ninth seeking his 14th save in 15 tries. Duran robbed Stuart Fairchild of a game-tying home run with one out. Friedl singled with two outs to bring up De La Cruz.

"I thought the ball (Fairchild hit) was way gone," Cora said. "I just kept saying, get down, get down, get down. Good for him (Duran) too. You move them around in the middle of the game it's not that easy."

Duran was humble as he described the catch and his contributions to the win.

"I'm just happy to be able to contribute to the team," Duran said. "Those plays happened to work out in my favor. I know he hit it pretty good. So I was making sure I could get back to the wall. I took a last minute glance to see where the ball was. I kind of broke down and was going to try to make a play on the ball. I just happened to make a play."

"I just hit it to the wrong part of the field," Fairchild said. "I was pretty stoked coming off the bat. I thought it had a chance and he made a great catch."

On the sacrifice fly he had a long way to go to make the catch.

"When I caught the ball, I looked up. I didn't have a good view of (catcher Luke) Maile. Candelario was right in my vision. I just threw it in the vicinity of home plate.

De La Cruz flied out to left to end the game.

Jeimer Candelario Power Reds To A Win Over The Red Sox

  

Jeimer Candelario hit two solo home runs and TJ Friedl finished off the Boston Red Sox with an RBI bunt that ended up scoring two runs to win a 5-2 decision. 

The Red Sox winning streak was snapped at five. 

Candelario, who sat out two games with tendinitis, hit his 13th home run of the season with two outs in the first inning. He struck again with his 14th home run to put the Reds back on top. It is his second two-home game of the season and sixth of his career. It was the eighth home run in the month of June.

"We knew the player we were getting when we signed Candy. To his credit he got off to a tough start but he kept believing in himself," David Bell said. "He has done it before. He knew it was going to happen."

Reds' starter Andrew Abbott surrendered Connor Wong's sixth home run of the year, leading off the second inning. It was the 14th home run given up by Abbott. Wong extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Jonathan India took Red Sox' starter deep leading off the second inning with his sixth home run of the season.

Jarren Duran hit his seventh home run to tie the game. His hitting streak reached 11 games tying Wong's streak. 

Abbott pitched 5 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs both on home run balls among four hits he surrendered. He walked one and struck out a season-high 10 batters.

"I was able to get the pitch in the strike zone on all counts," Abbott said. "I was able to win the race to two strikes. I was able to win the 1-1 counts. I was able to do things that in some games, I haven't been able to do."

"Abby needs to keep pitching like that," Bell said. "The home runs are going to happen. We have guys in the bullpen that are pitching very well. He had a great fastball."

Cutter Crawford, the Red Sox' starter, allowed three solo home runs but settled in to retire 10 batters in a row before the Red Sox defense fell apart.

"It was an interesting outing for Cutter," Alex Cora said. "I mean the home runs and the traffic early on, he was dialed in. We don't make a play. The squeeze is the squeeze. We opened the door for them. We felt like where we were in the lineup, at bats wise, we would be ok later in the game. It just didn't happen."

Santiago Espinal reached on a throwing error by Emmanuel Valdez. Luke Maile doubled on a hit-and-run to put runners on second and third with one out. Friedl bunted against Cam Booser, who fielded the bunt with his glove and flipped it past, catcher Wong. Espinal and Maile scored on the play. The Reds loaded the bases when Rafael Devers threw Spencer Steer's grounder wide of first base but Jake Fraley lined out to end the threat.

"Friedl went to bunt the ball," Wong said. "Honestly, he put down a pretty good one. He killed it. Boos had to make a really tough play and it ended up going over my head. The trail runner was able to come around and score. Hindsight is 20/20 right. It's tough they had both score. It was do or die. It was a great effort. We didn't execute."

Fernando Cruz, Sam Moll and Nick Martinez shut down the Red Sox until Alexis Diaz came on for his 17th save in 19 tries.

Jeimer Candeleraio Assaults Guardians To Even Ohio Cup Nick Lodolo Improves To 7-2

  

Jeimer Candelario hit two home runs and drove in four to make a winner of Nick Lodolo in the Reds' 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

Candelario hit his 10th home run of the season with two outs in the first inning. His victim Cleveland pitcher Tanner Bibee had allowed just eight in 274 batters faced. 

"I'm still not there. Tonight was a great night. I'll take it," Candelario said. "I'm here to help the team. Everything starts in the mind and goes to your body. You have to have a routine. If you have a routine, it gives you confidence. As a switch hitter it takes a lot of work and dedication."

It was Candelario's fifth career multi-home run game. The last one was on July 25, 2022 for Detroit against San Diego. The four RBI tied a career-high. 

Reds' starter, Nick Lodolo, lost control in the third inning. Steven Kwan extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single to right. Jose Ramirez swung at a 3-0 pitch and hit a ground single to left. Lodolo hit Josh Naylor to load the bases. He walked David Fry to force home the tying run.

Jacob Hurtubise saved a run in the fourth. Brayan Rocchio doubled with one out. Austin Hedges was hit in the foot. Kwan hit his second single to left. Hurtubise got to it and fired a one-hop throw to Tyler Stephenson in plenty of time to get Rocchio at the plate.

Ramirez and Josh Naylor singled to open the fifth, putting runners at first and third with no outs. Fry lined out to third. Andres Gimenez hit a ground ball to Jonathan India at second but Naylor was running and avoided the double play as Ramirez scored.

Will Benson and TJ Friedl opened the sixth inning with singles against Bibee. Elly De La Cruz struck out for the third time, on his bobblehead night. It gave Bibee a career-high 11 in just 5 1/3 innings but Candelario deposited the eighth pitch of his at bat into the Cleveland bullpen in right field.

"That's as good as he's thrown the ball, 11 punchouts," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said of Bibee. "It was basically one hard hit ball all night. I thought he was great. Honestly he (Candelario) was locked in all night. He had great at bats against Tanner. I thought the change up was a really good pitch. He put a good swing on it."

Lodolo pitched six innings for his third straight quality start, pitching out jams all night. He stranded eight runners. Lodolo allowed a run on seven hits and three walks. He hit two batters and struck out six.

"It was a grind for sure. I had to keep my head down," Lodolo said. "I was definitely fighting myself a little bit. I had to stay on the attack and make pitches when I needed to."

Lucas Sims and Sam Moll pitched scoreless innings.

Alexis Diaz earned his 14th save in 16 tries with a perfect ninth.

Guardians Hand Reds Ohio Cup Loss

  

Stephan Kwan had three hits and drove in two runs as the Cleveland Guardians clutched tightly to a 5-3 win in the first Ohio Cup contest.

Kwan extended his hitting streak to seven games and raised his season average to .380. He returned from the injured list on May 31.

"I definitely missed playing but since I came back, I'm sticking to a plan and a little bit of luck," Kwan said. "We have great technology and a great scouting report in Cleveland. I'm trying to get the mental AB. Things are obviously clicking right now but tomorrow is another day."

The Reds broke out with a run in the first, a run which shows the irony of the game. TJ Friedl singled on a ground ball that found a hole. Jeimer Candelario hit a ball off the end of the bat that snuck though inside the line for an RBI double. The next two batters, Spencer Steer and Jake Fraley hit the ball much harder but both were caught at the wall by centerfielder, Tyler Freeman. Steer's blast would have hit the top of the fence but Fraley's was plucked from the front row of the bleachers in right center.

"It was the first one I got to jump at the wall on," said Freeman who has been practicing the play. "The first one was more difficult. I kind of crashed into the wall. The second one was more like a jump."

The Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt thought it the catches changed  the game.

"I thought Freeman's first catch was unbelievable; fighting the sun and getting back there," Vogt said. "Any time you rob a homer, it's sick. Those were huge plays there. It could have gone a lot different if he didn't make those plays there. He keeps getting better and better."

Guardians didn't score against the opener, Brent Suter. Nick Martinez pitched a perfect second inning but the Guardians scored three times in the third inning. Brayan Rocchio walked to open the inning. Bo Naylor, the number nine hitter doubled with Rocchio holding at third. Steven Kwan doubled to put the Guardians ahead. Freeman singled Kwan to third. Josh Naylor singled to make it a 3-1 game.

"Nick Martinez was throwing the ball but they had tough at bats. There were a couple with 10 or more pitches. That's what this team (Guardians) does," David Bell said.

The Reds got a run back against Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie in the sixth inning. Elly De La Cruz walked. Candelario grounded back McKenzie but his only play was first base. Steer drove De La Cruz home with a single to left.

"I thought Triston came out throwing the ball well," Vogt said. "They took some good swings off him early but he settled in there. He battled through his outing. I don't think he was particularly sharp at times but that's what Triston does. He finds away to give us a chance to win."

Sam Moll, Lucas Sims, Justin Wilson and Fernando Cruz shut down the Guardians through seven.

"We came up short but it was a pretty good effort by everyone out of the bullpen," David Bell said. 

Josh Naylor hit his 17th home run of the season to lead of eighth. Cruz gave it up. He was relieved by Buck Farmer after a walk to David Fry.

The Indians scored another insurance run when Josh Naylor hit into a force play with the bases loaded in the ninth. 

The ninth inning was delayed by a fan running onto the field. He ran to Freeman in centerfield before he did a back flip and got tased before he was arrested.

"It was crazy," Freeman said. "I didn't know what to do. 

Emmanuel Clase got his 20th save in 22 chances for the Guardians but Jonathan India singled Stuart Fairchild home with two outs in the ninth. Clase hit Blake Dunn in the head to put the tying run on base. Friedl lined out to shortstop.

Dunn was hit in the helmet with a 101 mph pitch. It cracked the helmet but it did it's job.

"It is scary. You hate to see it happen to anybody but he's fine," Bell said.

Ian Happ Makes Reds Hapless

  

Reds killer, Ian Happ doubled with the bases loaded to allow the Chicago Cubs to salvage the final game with a 4-2 win to snap the Reds winning streak at seven games. The Cubs to forge a tie with the Reds in the National League Central Division at 32-34

Happ had been quiet going 0-for-11 in a place where he has had overwhelming success. That changed when he turned on a 3-2 pitch to drive in three runs. Reds' starter Frankie Montas had early trouble with command and walked two around a double by Seiya Suzuki. 

A native of Pittsburgh, Happ played college baseball at the University of Cincinnati. In 52 prior games at Great American Ball Park, Happ was hitting .309 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI.

The Cubs chased Montas from the game with a run in the second. Miguel Amaya doubled and scored on Mike Tauchman's single. Carson Spiers replaced Montas after he allowed four runs on five hits and three walks.

"It was one of those you're not in sync with your body. The mechanics mess with you. I couldn't throw the fastball up when I wanted.  My arm is healthy. My next bullpen I will figure why. I'll just flip the page," Montas said.

Spiers replaced Emilio Pagan, who is dealing with a tight right shoulder.

"I thought Montas was better in the second inning but by then he had to work so hard," David Bell said.

Luke Maile hit his second home run of the season, leading off the third against Imanaga. 

Spiers held the Cubs at four for 5 2/3 innings.

"He (Carson Spiers) has been great in the role," Bell said. "The way he's pitching, I don't want to get too far ahead. He's showing the kind of stuff that he'll have great success here."

He is the first relief pitcher since Joe Beggs in 1942 who has pitched at least three innings in his first four outings out of the bullpen.

"I like to think I'm a pretty level headed guy and take things day-by-day, Spiers said. "I think confidence comes with good outings. I believe in myself."

The Reds had just two hits going into the seventh. Spencer Steer and Johnathan India singled to start the inning. Santiago Espinal singled for the second time to drive Steer home but was thrown out advancing to second. Imanaga struck out TJ Friedl before Cubs' manager Craig Counsel called Mark Leiter Jr. in from the bullpen. The Reds countered with Jake Fraley batting for Maile. Fraley struck out to end the inning.

Buck Farmer held the Cubs in the ninth but Hector Neris retired the Reds in order for his ninth save. The Cubs had 11 hits, including three by Suzuki.

 Frankie Montas

David Bell

Carson Spiers

Andrew Abbott And TJ Friedl Fan The Flame For Red Hot Reds

 

TJ Friedl homered and drove in three runs to allow Andrew Abbott to even his record at 5-5 in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The win was the seventh in a row for the Reds, including four straight over the Cubs. The teams traded places in the standings with the Reds improving to 32-33 while the Cubs dropped to 31-34.

The Cubs drew first blood against Abbott with two outs in the first inning. Cody Bellinger singled and stole second. He scored on a double by Dansby Swanson. 

Jeimer Candelario tied the game against Ben Brown with his ninth home run of the season with two out in the bottom of the first.

"It was exciting," Candelario said. "We have some good guys up and down the lineup. We've had our ups and downs. We want to produce every single game. We enjoy the game and when you enjoy the game, good things happen for sure."

TJ Friedl hit his third home run with Jonathan India on first to break the tie. 

The Reds added a run in the fifth against reliever Jordan Wicks. India hit a smash to Patrick Wisdom at third. Wisdom made a diving stop but threw the ball into the Reds' dugout to advance India to second base. Will Benson bunted India to third. Friedl hit a ground ball fielded by Michael Busch at first but he didn't have a play at home. Friedl was out but credited with his third RBI of the game.

The Cubs scored against Emilio Pagan in the sixth inning. David Bote singled to start the inning. Yan Gomes broke an 0-for-25 slump with a run-scoring double.

Abbott allowed one run in his five innings on five hits and four walks. He struck out five and lowered his ERA to 3.28.

"It was a grind," Abbott said. "I didn't have the stuff command wise but with the defense behind you, just have to make a pitch when you have to."

The Cubs made it a one-run game in the eighth against Fernando Cruz. David Bote singled for his third hit of the game. Busch doubled to send Bote to third and he scored on a ground out by Pete Crow-Amstrong.

Lucas Sims came in to close the game out but he walked Christopher Morel. He got Bellinger to hit into a force play. Swanson's third hit, a single, put runners at first and third with one out. Justin Wilson came in to pitch to Reds killer, Ian Happ. Tyler Stephenson caught a shot pop up for the second out. Mike Tauchman grounded out to first to end the game as Wilson earned his first save.

"That was one of the best plays I've seen all year," said David Bell of the sliding catch by Stephenson. "To get out of your position and keep your concentration is really hard to do."

It was Wilson's first save since September 22, 2019 with the New York Mets, he saved a 6-3 win over the Reds.

"I'm so happy for Justin being out there. He's at the top of his game," Bell said. "He's been out there in those situations a lot in his career. He is healthy. He deserves to be out there."

Reds Stay Hot Against Cold CubsNick Lodolo Handles The Baby Bears

 

The Reds got key two out hits by Tyler Stephenson and Stuart Fairchild to back a pitching gem by Nick Lodolo to beat the Chicago Cubs, 3-2 and tie them in the standings.

"The two out runs," David Bell said. "We feel like the inning is never over, just keep playing."

The win extended the surging Reds' winning streak to six games and now won 11 of their last 14 games. The Cubs have dropped 11 of 15 as the teams are tied at 31-33.

Justin Steele retired the first 10 Reds' batters but Elly De La Cruz walked. Steele threw to first as De La Cruz broke early but beat the throw for his 33rd stolen base. Spencer Steer reached when he swung at a pitch in the dirt but reached first as it got past catcher Miguel Amaya. Tyler Stephenson doubled down the left field line to drive them both home on the Reds' first hit.

Nick Lodolo allowed three hits in the first five innings but didn't break. In the fifth he allowed Michael Busch's second hit with one out. He hit Patrick Wisdom and walked Seiya Suzuki on a 3-2 pitch but retired Cody Bellinger on a pop up to the infield.

Blake Dunn doubled with two outs in the fifth for his first Major League hit. Stuart Fairchild brought him home with a single up the middle to extend the Reds' lead to 3-0.

"Right out of the box, I was hustling hard. I knew I had a chance to get a double and as I turned the base, I picked up my head and saw he just got to the ball, Dunn said. "We're always trying to move up 90 feet. We score a lot of runs that way, by being aggressive."

Dansby Swanson broke Lodolo's shut out with his sixth home run of the season, cutting the lead to two runs.

"Nick has been pitching great. It was a good start for him against a good lineup. He had a good curveball," Bell said. "He got out of a jam with bases loaded and Bellinger at the plate. He gave up a home run on a pretty good pitch. It was a great swing by Swanson."

Lodolo pitched six innings, allowing four hits, two walks, one hit batter with seven strikeouts. It was his second straight quality start both against the Cubs.

"Facing the same team twice in a row, I look at it like I'm not going to have the same stuff every time out," Lodolo said. "I like to spin the ball and I didn't do it very well last time. Tonight I was able to. I never felt like I was wild. I got back into counts and made pitches when I had to."

Nick Martinez pitched a scoreless seventh, turning the ball over to Justin Wilson to start the eighth. He allowed a single in the scoreless frame.

Alexis Diaz entered to earn his 13th save in 15 tries. Diaz walked Busch with two outs and Amaya lined a double off the left field wall. Diaz struck out Wisdom to end the game.

"We get to that point in the game and our bullpen continues to do a great job," Bell said

Elly De La Cruz Homers On The First Anniversary Of His Debut, Reds Tame Cubs

Elly De La Cruz slammed a home run on the first anniversary of his call up to set the tone for the Reds' 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

It was the Reds' season high fifth straight victory and dropped the Cubs under .500 at 31-32. The Reds closed the gap between them to one game at 30-33.

Seiya Suzuki, who hit a grand slam home run off Hunter Greene in his last start, hit a two-run homer off Greene in the third inning to start the scoring. It was Suzuki's seventh of the season.

The lead didn't last long Javier Assad gave up a single to Will Benson and a walk to TJ Friedl to open the bottom of the third. De La Cruz hit Assad's first pitch for a three-run home run on the first anniversary of De La Cruz' debut. It was De La Cruz' 11th of the season and second in three games.

"My approach to De La Cruz is attack, attack, attack. I just missed with a cut fastball," Assad said through an interpreter.

Christopher Morel followed a leadoff double by Cody Bellinger with his sixth home run in the sixth inning.

The Reds took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Fraley opened with a single. Assad hit Tyler Stephenson with a pitch. Jacob Hurtubise bunted the runners up. Jonathan India drove in Fraley with a single. Friedl doubled off Luke Little with India stopping at third.

Greene turned the game over to Fernando Cruz in the seventh with two out and a runner on first. Cruz struck out Suzuki to close the frame.

Greene threw 111 pitches in 6 2/3 innings to notch his fourth win of the season. He allowed four runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out eight, including the 400th of his career.

The Cubs' bullpen walked four batters in the bottom of the inning to force home a run. Little walked Jeimer Candelario to start the inning. Porter Hodge got two batters out but walked Stephenson, Hurtubise and India. Benson singled home two runs off Kyle Hendricks to expand the Reds' lead.

"I've made some adjustments," Benson said. "I'm happy to be able to help the team."

Friedl has given the team a spark since his return.

"He brought us energy even from the bench. We knew he would bring more to the field," Benson said.

Friedl took the compliment and returned one.

"It feels great when your teammates think of you that way," Friedl said. "And Elly does something crazy every day. He makes defensive plays and on days he doesn't get a hit, he can steal four bags. The home run today, I didn't know it was the anniversary of his first game, but that's an example."

Sam Moll pitched a scoreless eighth.

Alexis Diaz worked the ninth in a non-save situation. He struck out three.