Game Recap: Cubs rally late in win over Reds

Matt Marton - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 2 days ago

CHICAGO - One thing that sets this season's Chicago Cubs (36-22) team apart from those of the past is that they find ways to win when their offense is in a funk. This week is a prime example of that, as the Cubs have gone 4-1 at Wrigley Field, despite scoring four runs or less in all five games.

The latest victory came against the Cincinnati Reds (29-30) on Saturday as the Cubs' offense was held in check once again. This was a game where the pitching dominated, as Nick Lodolo and Ben Brown had much better starts this time around than when they faced off last season. With things knotted up 0-0 entering the eighth, the Cubs put an end to the scoreless tie by pushing across two eighth-inning runs to deliver a 2-0 victory.

As has been the case more often than not, the Reds' starting staff has kept them in many games this season, and this was no exception, as Lodolo tossed six shutout innings, walking two and striking out five. After tons of discussion went on about what to do with Brown in the rotation, the decision was made to go with an opener to see if that could solve his slow starts.

It may have been just one start, but this was a massive step in the right direction for the right-hander as he took over for Drew Pomeranz in the second and proceeded to toss six scoreless innings, walking one and striking out a season-high nine. Brown also allowed just one hit as the Reds had no answers for him on the mound.

To illustrate the Reds' struggles offensively, their lone hit against Brown was also their only hit of the game, as the Cubs' pitching staff was dialed in. That included a stretch of 17 batters retired out of a possible 18 before the TJ Friedl sixth-inning single broke up what was a combined no-hitter.

Unlike the Reds, the Cubs did a much better job putting the ball in play as Ian Happ led things off for the Cubs with a double while a hit by pitch to Kyle Tucker put two runners on with no outs. Lodolo managed to escape that inning without any damage, as that was the theme most of the day for the Cubs.

It took three more innings for the Cubs to put together another scoring chance as Tucker led things off with a single. He would advance into scoring position after a two-out walk by Pete Crow-Armstrong, but once again, the Cubs came away empty. Already with one double under his belt, Happ made it two as he connected for his second leadoff double of the game to begin the sixth, only to be stranded on the bases once again.

With things still knotted 0-0 entering the bottom of the eighth, it was the Cubs who finally started to show signs of life as they were set up for their best scoring chance of the day. It all started with a leadoff walk to Matt Shaw as the Cubs had one of their best runners on base. Two batters later, Shaw found himself standing on second as Tucker connected for a massive one-out single.

That set the tone for the MLB RBI leader, Seiya Suzuki, and all he did was continue to add to his total as his RBI double broke the scoreless tie and put the Cubs ahead 1-0. With Carson Kelly walking to load the bases, the Cubs added a massive insurance run on an infield single from Dansby Swanson to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.

Down to their final three outs, if the Reds wanted to find a way to battle back, they were going to have to do it against the Cubs closer, Daniel Palencia, who seems to have settled into his role. Palencia is not only pitching with confidence but has been dominating since his rough outing in Miami as he took care of the Reds in order to secure another save.

Happ, Tucker, and Nico Hoerner led the way for the Cubs with two hits, as they had eight hits total in the win. The Cubs will look to take the series on Sunday when they send Jameson Taillon to the mound against Nick Martinez.