The Cincinnati Reds took Sunday afternoon’s rubber match over the Chicago Cubs 5-2. Nick Lodolo worked six solid innings before handing the game off to the bullpen to protect the lead created by TJ Friedl among others, who struck early in this one. The Reds scored all five of their runs before the fourth inning and took this road series to climb to seven games under .500 at 26-33.
The Chicago Cubs fell behind and couldn’t replicate their offensive output from Saturday night’s thriller. Ben Brown had a shaky outing after throwing seven no-hit innings in his last start. The Cubs managed to get runners in scoring position in two of the last three innings but were unable to push any runs across on the Reds bullpen after battling with Nick Lodolo for six frames. The loss puts the Cubs two games under .500 at 29-31.
Cincinnati Reds Attack Early
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The Cincinnati Reds got out to a fast start in Sunday’s matinee series finale against the Chicago Cubs. After pushing across four in the second inning on Saturday night, the Reds were able to do it again Sunday against Chicago starter Ben Brown. Unlike Saturday, the Reds would use the long ball to get their runs early on Sunday.
Cincinnati had the bases juiced with nobody out for Jonathan India. India had a golden opportunity with a 3-1 count to pound the Brown fastball for some damage but just missed the sweet spot of the bat and the ball flew into the glove of Cody Bellinger in center for the first out on a sacrifice fly and an RBI.
Ben Brown wasn’t so lucky with TJ Friedl. Unlike India, Friedl didn’t miss his pitch and the left-hander took the Brown curveball for a ride over the right-center field wall for a three-run home run and a 4-0 lead. The Reds would plate their fifth run in the third inning on a Jake Fraley sacrifice fly.
Lodolo Outpitches Brown in Chicago
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Ben Brown struggled for the Chicago Cubs and Nick Lodolo’s start didn’t help to hide the disparity. Nick Lodolo didn’t have a terrific outing but minimized the damage done by his misses and made the pitches he had to when the Cubs were threatening.
The 26-year-old Southpaw gave up seven hits, walked a batter, and hit two in his six innings. He allowed two runs, one in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Lodolo allowed three consecutive singles that gave the Cubs their first run but got Christopher Morel to ground into an inning-ending double play in the next at-bat.
Two batters reached to start the sixth inning and a second run came across to score but Chicago moved the runners on fielder’s choices and the damage was contained in what would be Lodolo’s final inning of work. He wasn’t spectacular but compared to Brown on the other side, Lodolo had a solid day.
Ben Brown only lasted five innings and couldn’t overcome the second inning and TJ Friedl’s home run. He gave up five runs, six hits, and a walk, throwing 76 pitches.
Bullpens Shut Down Offenses
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Sunday’s match-up differed from the previous two in this series when it came to the bullpen performances. After the relief pitchers decided the first two games, the bullpen units were locked in in the series finale.
The Cubs bullpen was thrust into action first, with Drew Smyly tapped first. He turned in a better performance on Sunday than on Friday and after he worked a scoreless sixth, Kyle Hendricks came in for the final three innings. This was the first scoreless bullpen outing for the veteran right-hander in his third attempt.
The Cincinnati bullpen only had to manage three innings after Nick Lodolo worked the first six. Nick Martinez came in first out of the pen and worked the seventh and eighth, striking out three and only allowing one baserunner. With the 5-2 score still intact, David Bell went to his closer Alexis Diaz. Diaz walked Michael Busch to start the inning but nothing came of it and the veteran got his twelfth save of the season in fourteen tries.
From This Series:
Chicago Cubs Losing Streak Continues with Loss to Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs Ride Pair of Homers to Saturday Victory Over Cincinnati Reds
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