Cincinnati Reds Lose To The Cubs 9-4

Apr 30, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce (32) steals second base under Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) during the third inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati-  With the first game of the series rained out the Cincinnati Reds (12-15) went for the two game sweep of the Chicago Cubs (9-17). That did not happen as Chicago won 9-4 behind a surprisingly decent outing by Edwin Jackson who beat the Reds for the second time this season.

Edwin Jackson by all accounts is a fifth rate starter in the major leagues. Yet his 2-2 record includes two wins against the Cincinnati Reds this season. Jackson went 5.2IP, allowing 5 hits and 4 earned runs, his ERA stands at 5.24.

Meanwhile Cincinnati trotted out Tony Cingrani (2-2) who exited the game after 4 innings due to reasons unknown at the moment. Cingrani’s velocity had dropped off in the third and fourth innings, hopefully the team updates the situation soon. Cingrani allowed 6 hits and 3 earned runs over his four innings.

Nick Christiani came into the game in relief of Cingrani, he subsequently gave up 2 runs to Junior Lake and Anthony Rizzo while the bases were loaded. The Cubs lead 5-4 after the fifth inning.

The Cincinnati Reds offense was led by Todd Frazier and Brayan Pena Wednesday night. Frazier has two RBI on the night thanks to a deep double in the first inning that scored Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Brayan Pena hit a solo shot, his first home run of the season in the second.

Brandon Phillips hit a single in the fifth that scored Billy Hamilton. That would be it for the Reds offense on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati reliever Sean Marshall got lit up in the ninth inning. Marshall lasted through two outs in the inning giving up 4 runs in that time. Joey Votto committed and error at first that would have ended the inning and kept the Cubs lead 7-4. Instead the inning continued, Ryan Kalish was safe at first and Nate Schierholtz scored. The next batter Emilio Bonaficio would double to center scoring Wellington Castillo and giving the Reds a 9-4 lead.

Cincinnati would have nothing to answer in the bottom of the ninth.

The Reds face the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday night to start a four game series. Homer Bailey (1-2) will be on the mound for the Reds.