Bellinger's huge game leads Cubs over Reds |
CINCINNATI - Ernie Banks said long ago, "Let's play two. Well, that is exactly what the Chicago Cubs (72-62) are doing on Friday as they are taking on the Cincinnati Reds (69-67) in a crucial doubleheader to open a four-game set. With the Cubs leading the Reds in both the division and Wildcard standings and this being the final meeting of the season between the two, every game is crucial for both sides.
Taking the ball for the Cubs was the rookie left-hander Jordan Wicks as he made his second start. Wicks was lights out in his first start and, despite having some struggles this time around, pitched well again. Wicks gave the Cubs five innings, allowing one run on five hits. He walked three and struck out four as he left with a 1-1 tie. That was until Cody Bellinger came through with a clutch two-run single to give the Cubs lead for good as Wicks improved to 2-0 with a 6-2 win for the Cubs. Opposing Wicks was the young righty Graham Ashcraft as he was looking to get back on track. Ashcraft was solid through five innings, allowing just one run before he ran into a bit of trouble in the sixth. In total, Ashcraft allowed three runs and struck out six, but it wasn't enough as the Reds offense struggled throughout. Despite working out of a minor jam in the second, Wicks stayed strong as neither team could do much of anything early on. That was until the sixth when Nico Hoerner led things off with a single before a costly strike him out/throw him out double play killed the Cubs rally. Leave it to Cody Bellinger to change all that as he unloaded for the go-ahead run as his solo shot made things 1-0. Touch 'em all, Belli! 💪 pic.twitter.com/ebswIBqigV The Cub's lead didn't last long, as it was the Red's turn for their offense to come through in the fourth. What started with a one-out single by Nick Senzel was followed by a walk, and just like that, the Reds were in business. That walk was followed by another single by Noelvi Marte to bring home a run as the Reds tied up 1-1 before Wicks escaped further damage. With the game still tied in the sixth, it was the middle of the Cubs order delivering the damage again as a one-out double from Hoerner started things off with Happ adding a double to put a pair of runners on and no outs. After David Bell brought in Lucas Sims from the pen, Bellinger ambushed him with a well-struck single as the Cubs brought home two more runs and took the lead for good, 3-1. Belli is BALLIN' 🔥 In what was now a game of bullpens, the Cubs bullpen had a clear advantage as Daniel Palencia tossed his best inning in a while for a scoreless sixth followed by a scoreless seventh from Julian Merryweather. Merryweather did struggle with his command at times, but all that matters is that he kept them off the board with the Cubs still holding a 3-1 lead. Hoping to tack on a few more runs late, much like they did in their last series against the Reds, Seiya Suzuki delivered as he uncorked a ball 110 MPH off the bat to extend the lead to 4-1. Justin Bieber has just left Great American Ball Park!@suzuki_seiya_sb pic.twitter.com/voJfFNKnhQ That set the tone for Keegan Thompson, who not only worked a scoreless eighth but would eventually come out to pitch the ninth as he looks to pick up where he left off last season to become a huge part of the pen. Leading 4-1 in the ninth, Mike Tauchman started things off the best way possible as his leadoff single had the Cubs offense in business again. That set the stage for Happ, whose mastery against the Reds continued with another two-run blast as the Cubs extended their lead to 6-1. .@ihapp_1's back in his Happ-y place 😁 That would be all they would need as Thompson allowed a pair of singles in the ninth, including one to Will Benson that brought home a run to pull the Reds within 6-2 before falling by that score. The Cubs will look to take game two of the doubleheader when they send Shane Greene to the mound to make his first start at the MLB level since 2016. Happ, Bellinger, and Hoerner picked up two hits in the game, with Bellinger and Happ driving in a combined five RBIs. Game 1 W @WatchMarquee @Cubs pic.twitter.com/cOWzOjalml
He's got all three of our RBIs today! pic.twitter.com/2JD2T5sopt
Never leave Cincy without a dinger! pic.twitter.com/ZSugPqnfyY
