Yesterday was game 2 for the Cubs vs the Reds and, oh my, this was definitely one of the best games all season! Watching the runs come pouring in can’t help but draw some flashbacks to the Cubs beating the Braves 14-10 in April and coming back from a 10-2 defecit. Today was eerily similar, as the Cubs were down 7-2 in the ballgame and were able to ride a great comeback to win it, scoring 4 runs to finish it in the 8th.
The game did not start off well, with Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood giving up 2 quick runs in the first inning off of 2 separate wild pitches. Two innings later, he gave up a 3-run blast to Eugenio Suárez, giving the Reds a 5-run lead after merely 3 innings. The Cubs were able to score 2 runs off of a double from Caratini and a ground out from Russell, but the Reds immediately responded afterwards with RBI singles from both Jesse Winker and Joey Votto. Then, it was comeback time.
It all started in the bottom of the 6th, when Rosario, the relief pitcher, singled in a run that came from Russell’s double. Next inning, El Mago drove a big 396 ft bomb for his 17th on the year, making it 7-4. Then the big inning happened in the 8th. Bags are loaded with one out for Benny and he drives a ball to center, scoring Caratini and Russell, and bringing Bote to third, making it 7-6. El Mago then got his 4th game hit on an infield single the pitcher, scoring Bote, bringing Zo to third, and tying it. Rizzo then finally grounded out to end the comeback and the Cubs ended up winning 7-8.
Cubs and even some Reds players had some positive comments for the Cubs after the huge comeback. Javy Báez said,”That’s what we do. That’s what we do, we fight to the end. We’ve been coming back since 2016, we’ve been doing this. We just have to realize who we have in our lineup. It doesn’t matter how many runs we’re down. I think we can do a lot of damage if we turn the page to the next guy.” Heck, even Reds’ reliever Jared Hughes, who was credited with the loss this game, had some positive comments for Zo after his double. He said,”Zobrist did an incredible job getting underneath that ball. I put it below the zone exactly where I wanted it down there hoping to get the groundball. I have to tip my cap there.”
This game pushes the Cubs to 50 wins this season and, somewhat surprisingly, this was their fourth win against the Reds this year and it was their third game with 8 or more runs against Cincy this year. The game also pushed the Cubs closer to a possible NL Central lead, as they’re now 1.5 games back with the Brewers’ 1-5 loss to the Braves. How ironic that the Cubs mount a comeback against the Reds and the Brews lose to the teams the Cubs previously mounted a comeback against.
Today, the Cubs face off at Wrigley again tomorrow at 1:20, with Jon Lester (2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) facing off on the mound against Luis Castillo (5.53 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). The Cubs now have a 4.45 ERA against the Reds with 4.45 runs given up against them on average per game. They’ve also scored 48 runs against them this season, scoring about 4.36 runs against them on average per game.
The MLB Enthusiast 