Series Recap: Cubs 3, Reds 1

Back to back nights the Cincinnati Reds were beaten by the Chicago Cubs via the walk-off, and Back to Back nights it was by Starlin Castro. It would have all been avoided with a walk. Burke Badenhop was supposed to pitch around him, but instead laid one across the plate… and it went to the wall.

Game Summary

In a game where the Cubs only scored once in regulation you would think that it would have been in the first inning when Anthony DeSclafani threw more than 30 pitches; however, after a rally that ended with the bases loaded on a taken third strike. But neither team would score in the first inning of many.

Things would remain quiet until the top of the sixth, but there were two noteworthy events. In the third inning Billy Hamilton stole two bases off of Jon Lester and continued to make him look lost. Then in the bottom of the fifth Jay Bruce made a fantastic diving catch in Right Field that saved a run. he appeared to have hurt his left wrist / hand area, but stayed in the game.

The scoring opened up in the sixth inning when Billy Hamilton led off the inning with a double into Left Field and would steal third base for his third steal of the contest. Brandon Phillips would then send a bloop single into Center Field that would score Hamilton, 1-0 Reds.

The next batter would be Joey Votto. He would double into deep Left Center Field. Phillips would attempt to round third and score but was called out, after a review. The inning would end on back to back fly balls by Todd Frazier and Bruce.

The Cubs would finally reach the board in the 7th inning when David Ross scored on a sacrifice fly to Right Field, 1-1. Anthony Rizzo would be hit by a pitch but after review he would be sent back to the plate to hit, for which he struck out to end the inning.

The ninth was the most disappointing inning for the Reds. With bases loaded and no one out they did not score.

Hamilton would steal two more bases in the tenth inning, but would be left stranded when Joey Votto hit a soft fly ball to Left Field.

The 11th was no fun, in fact this is where it all ended. Chris Coghlan would double, and like stated prior, Castro would line would into Left Center Field. Ball game.