Spencer Steer came through in the coupling with a goad 3-run home run in the 7th inning to place the Reds in the front. Cincinnati held from there when they got excellent pitching all night, including newcomer Zack Littell in his Reds debut while held a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
| Final | R | H | One |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (60-54) | 5 | 9 | 1 |
| Chicago Cubs (65-48) | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| W: Littell (9-8) L: Kittredge (2-3) | |||
| Status | Box score | Game thread | |||
Zack Littell’s Reds debut did not come on the best. He gave up a lead -off single to Michael Busch in the 2nd of the 1st and succeeded it with a walk to turn on two men. However, he closed at that time and hit the next three batters to deposit both runners.
In the second half of the 4th inning, the Cubs would again threaten. Pete Crow-Armstrong picked up a 1-out single and then Nico Hoerner walked out with two. Just like the 1st, however, Littell would hit a batter if he needed it the most and he would last two runners again.
Cincinnati’s attack began the 5th inning with a Double foundation from Miguel Andujar outside the warning track and in the seats in the middle. Spencer then sent a single left along the line that was roasted from the wall in the error area and right to Ian Happ in the left that kept to the left of extra bases.
The Reds shout did not last long. In the bottom of the inning, Matt Shaw hit a 1-out Solo-homrun on a splitter who caught way too much of the plate on a 0-2 count. In it it quickly seemed to change a back and weather game, Cincinnati could get the lead in the first place of the 7th. The Cubs brought in Andrew Kittredge with one to take over for Shota Imanaga and he proceeded to Austin Hays and then gave up a single to Miguel Andujar. Kittredge received a friendly call on a slider under the zone with a count of 2-0. Steer did not take the next pitch and this time he hit the slider in the stands in the left field for a 3-run Homer to set up the visiting team with 4-1.
However, Cincinnati was not ready there. Noelvi Marte doubled in the ivy in the left field and moved to third place on a single by Jose Trevino. Santiago Espinal set up for a sacrificial fly that tackled on another run to extend the lead.
From there it was all bullpen when Graham Ashcraft, Sam Moll and Tony Santillan treated the last two innings of the competition and were in charge. The 5-1 victory of Cincinnati guarantees them a series victory and gives them the opportunity to go for the Sweep on Wednesday afternoon.
Important moment of the game
Spencer Steer’s 3-run home run in the 1st of the 7th that broke a tie game wide open.
Notes worth mentioning
Zack Littell’s Reds debut went as well as you could have expected. He allowed one point in seven innings and had a high eight strikeouts season while he took the victory. A flight ball erupt, he had eight land outs and only two fly outs in the day – but his lonely run allowed in the seats.
The Pitching Staff of Reds held the Cubs on seven total hits in the first two games of the series.
Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Miguel Andujar and Jose Trevino all had 2-hit competitions.
Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs
Wednesday, August 6, 2.20 pm et
Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.15 ERA) vs Gift Horton (5-3, 3.42 ERA)
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