Reds 5 Cubs 1
Spencer Steer drove a three-run homer through a stiff Wrigley Field wind to snap a 7th inning tie.
Zack Littell gave the Reds everything they could ask for and more in his Reds debut, allowing one run over seven innings.
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga baffled the Reds into the 7th inning, allowing one run, before being removed by Craig Counsell. The Reds proceeded to score four in the 7th off Andrew Kittredge, who recorded just one out.
The Reds (60-54) move a season high tying six games over .500 and will go for a series sweep Wednesday afternoon.
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Littell: 7 innings, 1 run , Andujar 2 hits, double, run, Hayes superb defensive play off the bench.
Offense: 9 H, 1 BB, 8 K.
Steer: 2 H, HR, 4 RBI
Andujar: 2 H, 2B, R
Friedl: 2 H. 9th bunt hit/most MLB. Picked off.
Trevino: 2H, 2B
How they scored:
5th Steer RBI 1B, 1-0 Reds
7th Steer 3-R HR, 4-1 Reds, Espinal SF RBI, 5-1 Reds
Littell: 7 IN, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K season high, HR, 92 pitches.
1st: 1B, BB, K, K, K. Shaw HR in 5th/ML high 27th allowed.
5th Red last 125 years w/ 7+ IP, 1 ER or fewer and 8+ K in debut (per Reds/Brady Singer, Johnny Cueto, Mo Sanford, Tom Seaver)
Resembles former Red Dan Straily.
Bullpen:
Ashcraft 0.2, Moll 1.0, Santillan 0.1, no idea why Francona brought in for 57th time w/ 2 outs, up 4.
Reds pitching has allowed a total of three runs and seven hits in the series.
Defense
Friedl bobble/error on grounder
Elly handled smashed liner off funky hop
Hayes incredible charging/bare hand throw/just off bench as 7th inning replacement