Cubs 6 Reds 1
With ace Andrew Abbott on the mound, and facing MLB ERA leader Paul Skenes tomorrow in Pittsburgh, a sweep today would have been nice, if not needed,
Instead, the Reds (60-55) had to settle for winning a road series against a team with a winning record.
The Reds managed just four hits, avoiding their 10th shutout with a run in the 9th. They missed a second chance to go a season best seven games over .500.
Cubs rookie Cade Horton took a two hit shutout two outs into the 6th. He was removed at 67 pitches, with Friedl on and Elly up. LHP Drew Pomeranz got the K.
The slumbering Cubs offense, awoke for 11 hits, including three homers, after just three runs and seven hits in the first two games. Leading 1-0, the Cubs added a run in the 6th, then two in the 7th and 8th.
Next up: A four game set vs the Pirates, facing Skenes (2.02 ERA) on Thursday.
Offense: 4 H, 0 BB, 12 K
37th time scoring 2 runs or fewer. Just five baserunners.
Hays: 2B. 1st EXBH 16 games.
Friedl: 2 H, 8 game hit streak.
Elly: H
Cubs reliever Andrew Kittredge, who surrendered four runs last night, turned in an Immaculate Inning in the 7th: 9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strikeouts.
How they scored: 9th Hays RBI groundout
Abbott: 6.2 IN, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 100 pitches. 1st/2nd: BB. 3rd: 1st & 3rd/0 outs = 1 R. 6th: HR Suzuki. 7th: HR Swanson. ERA 2.34. 4th time in 20 starts allowing 4 runs or more.
Bullpen: Mey 0.1, allowed inherited runners to score, Zulueta 1.0, 2 R, HR
Defense
Steer stab of hot smash for force out\
Elly leaping backhand snare of liner
Fraley lounging sac fly grab to save double.
Marte running grab at RF foul line wall
Fraley spun around on a double