Reds Close Out First Half On The Frowning Side Of The Scoreboard

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Alex Bregman took out a season of frustration out on the Reds this weekend, closing out the first half with an 8-4 win over the Reds.

It is the sixth win in seven games for the Cubs against the Reds. The Reds limp into the break with a  43-52, the season low point at nine games under .500.

The Cubs finish the first half with a 54-42 record, 10 1/2 games ahead of the Reds, who have dropped 22 of 18 games against National League Central Division rivals.

"It is always big when they score after you take the lead. I know it happens but when you score, you've got to shut them down," Terry Francona said. "The guys need to get away and rejuvenate. Our record certainly anywhere near what we want it to be. We know that. Still, it's a good group and they play hard. They're exhausted. This will be good for them."

Andrew Abbott walked Pete Crow-Armstrong to start the game. The Cubs center fielder stole second and raced to third on a fly out to center by Seiya Suzuki. Alex Bregman lofted a bloop into shallow center field with the infield playing in. Spencer Steer making his second start, ever in center got a glove on it but couldn't catch it. Michael Busch doubled off the base of the right field fence for an RBI double.

Walks have haunted Abbott all season. He has walked four per game and 10.3 percent of batter faced. It is worse than his rookie campaign which was 3.6 per game and 9.6 percent. Those numbers improved each year until this season.

The Reds tied and passed the Cubs in the bottom of the third against Matthew Boyd. Ke'Bryan Hayes singled on the first pitch of the inning. Elly De La Cruz forced him at second just beating the relay from Nico Hoerner. Sal Stewart hit his 22nd double of the season with De La Cruz holding third.

Stewart is for off the pace of the Major League lead in doubles and it is the most by a rookie.

Steer grounded out to shortstop as De La Cruz scored. JJ Bleday singled to left to tie the game and went to second on the throw home. Eugenio Suarez hit his 11th home run of the season into the upper deck in left to give the Reds a 4-2 lead. 

It was Suarez' 200th home run of the list. He is 11th on the Reds list. Eric Davis is 10th with 203.

Walks spooked Abbott again. He walked Carson Kelly. Busch hit his second double in nearly the same spot of his first. Hoerner grounded out to Edwin Arroyo behind second base. For some unknown reason Kelly held third as Hoerner was retired. Abbott loaded the bases when he walked Ian Happ. Dansby Swanson struck out swinging. Kevin Alcantara hit a ground ball up the middle with Arroyo poised to field it but the ball hit second base and bounded into center for a game tying, two-run single. Crow-Armstrong was ruled safe on a ground ball to Arroyo but instead of putting the Cubs up a run, Crow-Armstrong was called out after a Reds' challenge.

"We had some walks. We started the inning. We were unlucky with the ball hitting the base but if we don't have the walks it doesn't matter," Francona said. "Command was a challenge for him. He was at 79 pitches after four. That's a lot. When you see four straight fastballs missing the zone, that's when he's not feeling his best."

The Cubs have 417 walks as a team the most in Major League Baseball.

"They're a good group. We got unlucky there with a bad bounce. It was the third time through the lineup. We were looking for matchups," Abbott said. "I was trying to keep us in the game. With 79 or 80 pitches it saps you of your energy."

In his last start Abbott didn't walk anyone.

"I fell behind some guys. I started nibbling, like my dad would say. I don't want to make a mistake and throw it right down the middle," Abbott said. "I think it is a testament to who they are too. They never come off their approach. They're going to make you throw strikes. They don't chase a lot either. You saw what Hunter (Greene) and (Nick) Lodolo did. They didn't fall behind. I fell behind and really had to grind to get them out."

Chase Petty, called up today when Nick Lodolo was placed on the injured list with a blister, relieved Abbott.

Abbott pitched four innings, allowed four runs on four hits and a costly three walks. He struck out three.

Petty pitched two scoreless innings but left after a leadoff double by Dansby Swanson in the seventh. Sam Moll came on to strike out pinch hitter Pedro Ramirez. Crow-Armstrong singled to put the Cubs ahead 5-4. Suzuki reached on an infield single. 

Pierce Johnson relieved Moll.

Alex Bregman hit a three-run home run his ninth of the season to extend the Cubs lead to 8-4. It was his second home run in two days.

"We didn't get the guys out that we were supposed to," Francona said. 

Nick Lodolo's Blister Puts Him On The Injured List Chase Petty Recalled

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Nick Lodolo left the game with the Chicago Cubs in the sixth inning on Saturday (071126). 

The Reds placed him on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. They brought starter/reliever Chase Petty back from Louisville.

 

The Reds resume the season on Friday in Colorado.

Brady Singer will pitch the first game. Lodolo was scheduled for the second game but Rhett Lowder will return to the rotation. Hunter Greene will close out the Colorado series. Andrew Abbott will open the series in Seattle with Chase Burns following him.

Burns will attend the All Star game but will not pitch. He has some tightness in his legs from covering home plate on a wild pitch.

The Reds and Burns are being cautious. They don’t want the adrenaline of appearing in the Mid Summer Classic will cause an over extension making the injury worse.

Outfielder Dane Myers is going to work out in Arizona during the break to be ready for the second half.

Blake Dunn’s elbow feels better and is getting closer to a return.

Andrew Abbott Closes Out First Half Reds Look For Better 2nd Half

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Last years All Star Andrew Abbott will close out the first half like he started it.

He will put his 5-5 record and 3.92 ERA on the line in his 20th start of the season against the Chicago Cubs.

Abbott has given up three or fewer runs in each of his last five starts but only went six innings once, his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He gave up three runs on five hits. He didn’t walk anyone, which allowed him to stay in longer. He struck out eight.

He is 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his last start against them on May 5, a 3-2 10-inning loss in Chicago.

Matthew Boyd who is 4-1 with a 4.31 ERA. 

Boyd is a 35-year old left hander who was drafted by the Reds in the 13th round of the 2012 draft out of Oregon State University. He elected to return to college and then signed with the Toronto Blue Jays after they made him their sixth pitch in 2013.

Boyd has two quality starts among his last five. 

He is 1-3 in five starts against the Reds with a 6.48 ERA.

Boyd gave up four runs on eight hits in four innings at Great American Ball Park on May 23, last season. He walked two and struck out three. The Cubs won 13-6.

He broke in with the Blue Jays but pitched for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians. Boyd signed with Cubs as a free agent in December 2024.

Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 1B

Spencer Steer CF

JJ Bleday LF

Eugenio Suarez DH

Tyler Stephenson C

Noelvi Marte RF

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

Cubs Lineup:

Pete Crow-Armstrong CF

Seiya Suzuki RF

Alex Bregman 3B

Carson Kelly C

Michael Busch 1B

Nico Hoerner 2B

Ian Happ LF

Dansby Swanson SS

Kevin Alcantara DH

Nick Lodolo Leaves Start With A Blister IL Probable

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Nick Lodolo's start to the season was delayed by a blister on his left index finger. His start against the Chicago Cubs ended in similar conditions and cost the Reds a 5-3 loss.

Carson Kelly clubbed his sixth home run of the season to tie the game and Lodolo exited right after the blow.

"It's a blister again. It might be slightly over from from where it was before. He was feeling so good about what they were doing. I know he's really frustrated. I would say another IL is probable," Terry Francona said.

The Reds took an early lead on back-to-back home runs by Nathaniel Lowe his 10th of the season and his first since May 29, which was a drought of 38 games. Eugenio Suarez followed with his 10 of the season. Both came against Cubs starter, Javier Assad. 

Suarez past Barry Larkin for 11th on the Reds home run list with 199.

Earlier the Reds had chances to take the lead. Elly De La Cruz led off the bottom of the first and Sal Stewart singled up the middle to send De La Cruz to third with no outs. Assad struck out JJ Bleday and Spencer Steer grounded into a double play.

TJ Friedl opened the third inning with a single and De La Cruz followed with his second hit but he was picked off first and Stewart and Bleday flied out.

"I think it is different in every situation. We had a chance in the first inning and didn't cash in," Francona said. "When you don't have a lot of chances, it is more glaring."

Lodolo was cruising with four scoreless innings but as the blister developed, he gave up a two-out single to number nine hitter, Miguel Amaya. Pete Crow-Armstrong walked and Seiya Suzuki singled to plate Amaya.

After Kelly's home run tied the game, leading off the sixth. Lodolo left with five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out four.

"It was in the sixth I felt it," Lodolo said. "I threw those three pitches to Kelly. After the first one I started feeling it but I didn't see anything," Lodolo said. "Frustration is extremely high. I thought with what we were doing now, we were in the clear. I've got to keep trying to figure it out, change my grip or something."

Reliever Caleb Ferguson gave up a single to Michael Busch and Ian Happ doubled him home.

Left hander Drew Pomerantz relieved Assad and left handed hitting Bleday hit his 16th home run to tie the score at three, leading off the sixth. Lowe singled and Suarez walked but Jose Trevino hit into another double play.

"We had some good at bats. I thought Bleday hit another one," Francona said.

Julian Garcia started the seventh by striking out Crow-Armstrong but he walked Suzuki. Alex Bregman put the Cubs ahead with his eighth home run.

The Reds had runners on with one out in the seventh and eighth but didn't move them.

The Cubs sent left hander Ryan Rollison out for the ninth inning. The Cubs' bullpen has seven blown saves since June 14. 

Pinch hitter Tyler Stephenson singled to right to start the ninth. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Edwin Arroyo drove the ball to the right center field wall but Suzuki was able to make the catch as Stephenson took third. Pinch hitter Noelvi Marte struck out but Rollison walked De La Cruz, who stole second with Stewart, who leads the Reds in RBI with 65. Cubs manager Craig Counsell went to Trent Thornton. Stewart grounded out the Nico Hoerner at second base to end the game. Thornton picked up his third save of the season.

"I thought Arroyo's was going to hit off the wall," Francona said.

The Reds were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Reds Choose Alabama Shortstop

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Justin Lebron got the call that he was chosen by Reds with the first pick in the 2026 draft.

"I'm filled with every emotion in the world," Lebron said. "I'm ready to get to work and to see what I can bring to the table."

The 21-year old was born in the Bronx, New York but grew up in Miramar, Florida, graduating from Archbishop McCarthy High School. He just finished his junior season at Alabama. The Crimson Tide was eliminated by the Texas Longhorns on June 15 at the College World Series in Omaha.

"I just think he was the most powerful player," Reds director of amatuer scouting, Joe Katuska said. "We've tracked him for a long time. He has tremendous physical ability. He can impact the game in many different ways. The best player available is what we start with. He fits that to a T."

Lebron hit .277 for Alabama with 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 61 games. He drew 27 walks for a .386 on-base-percentage. He struck out 56 times. He stole 42 bases in 43 attempts. His OPS was a robust .920. 

"He can drive the ball," Katuska said.

"I definitely think this season was fun," Lebron said. "It was a roller coaster for sure. I didn't have the season that I wanted but I helped get the team to Omaha. That hasn't happened in 20 years."

The Reds Hunter Greene contacted Lebron soon after he was selected. 

"He congratulated me and told me to get ready for work," Lebron said. "It's going to be a fun journey. I had never spoke to him or met him. He must have asked someone for my number."

Off the field, Lebron is involved with the Miracle League for kids with physical challenges. His brother Jayden has Williams Syndrome, a genetic defect where the patient is missing a portion of his electric gene.

"Jayden acted like it was his day," Lebron said. "It was one of those things where he lived through me and played through me. It is like we are going through this together. He was so excited."

"Lebron paid for his parents to come to see him," Katuska said. "He had to deal with some things off the field. He was instrumental in taking care of his brother, in being the big brother."

"He has had his challenges on the field but he has the ability to make adjustments and get here quickly."

Chase Burns Will Not Pitch In All Star Game

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Chase Burns went to Reds management and reported that he tweaked his groin a little bit in his last start, when he covered home on a wild pitch.

"He came to me and said that he tweaked his groin and didn't know what to do," Terry Francona said. "We set it up where he pitched a few days ago and was coming out (of the break) last. It's not like we're trying to manipulate it so, I thought he showed a lot of maturity. He can still go and enjoy himself but he won't pitch."

Burns and Sonny Gray now with the Boston Red Sox are 11-1 and leading starting pitchers in wins. They both have an ERA of 2.54 although Burns has one more start.

"There was contact. We all saw the play but he never said anything. Then he came in and said it got a little stiff. He's ok. He understands where he's at in his innings compared to last year. He thought it out. We didn't want to take something he has earned away from him but we do appreciate him being honest."

Nick Krall, the Reds general manager, talked to the league office and they have picked Justin Wrobleski, a left handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, to replace Burns.

"It sucks. I went to Tito first. It was a tough decision," Burns said. "I know myself. I was going to be pumped up. I just think it is smart for me to work on my recovery. I didn't feel it when it happened. I think adrenaline got me through it. The next day it got tight. I've never had a lower body injury before. It was kind of frustrating."

He will get to go to the All Star Game and participate in the pageantry and be among the other stars in the game rather than take the time off. 

"I'm going to throttle down and take it all in. It's going to be tough to see guys out there throwing," Burns said.

Andrew Abbott was not named to the All Star Game on the first selection but was picked after another pitcher had to bow out under similar circumstances. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was not able to pitch. Abbott faced the minimum three batters, Jazz Chisolm Jr., Riley Greene and Randy Arozarena in a scoreless inning. 

Shohei Ohtani has inflammation in his left knee and was replaced by St. Louis Cardinals Ivan Herrera.

Hunter Greene Handles Cubs Elly De La Cruz Slugs

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds beat the Chicago Cubs for the first time in five tries, riding Hunter Greene's bone chip free right arm to a 4-0 win.

The Cubs continue to struggle against Greene. The last time they met on September 18, Greene threw a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts.

The Cubs managed three hits, two by Seiya Suzuki, through seven innings and Greene struck out 12. Ian Happ drew a walk following Suzuki's one out single in the seventh. Nico Hoerner flied out to center and Greene's 12th strikeout, Michael Conforto, ended the inning.

Elly De La Cruz lined his 15th home run of the season into the left field stands to give the Reds a slim lead.

After Trent Thornton gave up a single to Tyler Stephenson in a scoreless inning, Jake Woodford started the bottom of the seventh for the Cubs. With one out, De La Cruz tripled into the right field corner. Sal Stewart picked up his 65th RBI with a line out to center field. Spencer Steer singled to the hole at short. JJ Bleday blasted his 15th home run to stretch the Reds lead. 

"Elly put us on the board. Sal with a good piece of hitting with Elly on third and then Bleday gave us some cushion," Terry Francona said.

Greene left after seven scoreless innings to stretch his string to 16 against the Cubs. He allowed just three hits and a walk with 12 strikeouts. 

"He pounded the zone with really good stuff. It was the second night in a row we got length from our starters," Francona said. "That is really good. The way he pitched, allowed us, because we didn't have anything in early."

Greene gave up a career-high eight runs in his last start, his first since getting bone chips removed from his elbow. He a admitted that he failed to control his emotions in that start.

"I stayed within myself tonight," Greene said. "That was my focus, like I mentioned in my first game. The excitement got to me. I have enough experience to know what our key is. It is just how we execute it."

Brock Burke allowed an infield hit in a scoreless eighth. 

Emilio Pagan struck out the heart of the Cubs' batting order in the ninth to secure the win.

This was not a save situation for Pagan but with the heart of the order up the Cubs are capable of putting up runs quickly. They swept the Reds in May with three walk off wins, two in extra innings. Pagan was the losing pitcher in one of them when he couldn't protect a ninth inning 4-3 lead. He gave up a triple to Pete Crow-Armstrong and a walk off home run to Michael Conforto on May 4. 

Pagan earned his sixth save on Sunday (070526) against the Baltimore Orioles when he loaded the bases on a hit and two walks, allowing one run in a 3-2 win.

"I told Tito that I would be better the next time," Pagan said. "I didn't think I would do that. (strikeout the side)."

Hunter Greene Gets Second Chance Against Cubs

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Hunter Greene will get his second start of the season. He is 0-2 with an awful 21.60 ERA after he gave up a career-high eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings after returning from surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow.

Greene is 5-1 in nine starts against the Chicago Cubs with a 3.38 ERA.

He made two starts against them last season. On May 23 he pitched four innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out two in a 13-6 loss. He gave up a home runs to Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki but left the game with a 4-2 lead. His last start against them was September 18. He authored a 1-0 complete game shutout on one hit with nine strikeouts. Suzuki doubled with two outs in the seventh and was the only base runner.

Spencer Steer is making his first ever start in center field.

Shota Imanaga, a 32-year old left hander will start for the Cubs. He is 5-7 in 18 starts with a 4.28 ERA.

He has one quality start in his past five starts. On June 29 he pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on nine hits against the San Diego PadresHe walked none and struck out four. His last start was a 4 2/3 inning stint in a 3-0 loss. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks. Imanaga has given up 21 home runs this season, tied for the third most in baseball.

Imanaga is 2-0 in four career starts against the Reds with a 2.63 ERA. His last start against the Reds was on May 7. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on six hits and three walks. He struck out 10 and gave up a home run to Sal Stewart.

Reds lineup:

Elly De La Cruz SS

Sal Stewart 1B

Spencer Steer CF

JJ Bleday LF

Eugenio Suarez DH

Tyler Stephenson C

Noelvi Marte RF

Edwin Arroyo 2B

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

Cubs lineup:

Peter Crow-Armstrong CF

Alex Bregman 3B

Michael Busch 1B

Seiya Suzuki RF

Ian Happ LF

Nico Hoerner 2B

Michael Conforto DH

Carson Kelly C

Dansby Swanson SS

Reds Trade IL Infielders

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds placed Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 8 with a strained left calf.

Ke’Bryan Hayes was removed from the injured list after four rehab games at Dayton and Louisville. He is recovered from a lower lumbar sprain.

 Hayes hit .142 in 44 games before going to the injured list. He hit .444 with four doubles and a home run during his rehab assignments.

McLain is hitting .190 in 83 games with 13 doubles and eight home runs. He has recently added center field to his second base and shortstop assignments.

Phillies Sneak Over One Run To Take Series

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Philadelphia Phillies broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning and made it stand up for a 1-0 win to take the series.

Reds starter Brady Singer, who turned in his longest outing of the season, hit Gabriel Rincones with an 0-2 pitch. Derek Hill ran for Rincones and was running on the pitch as J.T. Realmuto grounded out to shortstop. Justin Crawford singled and Singer walked Trae Turner. 

"He (Singer) hits the guy with a 0-2 pitch. Then he runs 0-2 and they get a ground ball," explained Terry Francona. "Singer was efficient he was getting ahead with the first pitch."

Sam Moll came out of the bullpen to face leading home run hitter, Kyle Schwarber. Moll struck out Schwarber on a checked swing. He stranded both runners by striking out Bryce Harper swinging.

Singer went 7 1/3 innings allowing x runs on four hits and one walk. He hit two batters and struck out five.

Phillie's starter Jesus Luzardo pitched seven scoreless innings, matching his season high. He gave up two hits, two walks and hit a batter while striking out 10.

Tejay Antone pitched a scoreless ninth.

Jhoan Duran entered, looking for his 23rd save of the season.

JJ Bleday singled on a 3-2 pitch to open the ninth. Bleday stole second as Duran fell behind Spencer Steer 2-1. Steer was hit by a pitch. Eugenio Suarez struck out swinging. Tyler Stephenson struck out swinging. Leaving the Reds hope in the hands of Noelvi Marte, who hit a ground ball to third to end the game. Duran has saved 23 games in 24 tries.

"We had two guys on. We were one bad pitch away and he didn't make the bad pitch," Francona said. "Geno (Suarez) isn't here to hit a ground ball. That's not going to work. He is here to drive the ball and strike outs are part of it. He is a guy, who when he gets hot, he can carry us for three or four weeks. We just have to get him there."

Stephenson since June 1 is hitting .299 and had one of the Reds four hits. Marte drove in four runs in the win on Wednesday.

The Reds return to eight games under .500 at 42-50 with 70 games to go.