Cubs Keep It Close, But Cough Up Lead Late to Reds

The Chicago Cubs were riding high entering Thursday, owning their first winning streak since late April. However, a tough Cincinnati Reds team stood waiting to begin a four-game set on Thursday with Javier Assad and Hunter Greene on the bump for their respective clubs.

Tale of the Tape

The Cubs got the scoring started in Thursday's contest. After he was left stranded following a double in the first inning, Seiya Suzuki sent a ball into left field for a two-run home run in the top of the third. Miguel Amaya reached on a single to lead off the inning.

However, the Cubs' lead didn't last for long. In the bottom of the third, following a Will Benson single and TJ Friedl walk, Elly De La Cruz hit his 11th home run of the season. The three-run shot gave the Reds the lead.

Neither team stuck again until the top of the sixth. Cody Bellinger struck his 11th double of the season to lead off the frame. In the next at-bat, Christopher Morel went deep for the 12th time this season, giving the Cubs a 4-3 lead over Cincy.

However, a recurring theme was established in this game. When the Cubs found a lead, it didn't last long. Javier Assad allowed two baserunners on in the bottom of the sixth, who advanced to second and third thanks to a bunt by Jacob Hurtubise. With two in scoring position, Jonathan India delivered a single that tied the game at four.

Following a Will Benson strikeout, Assad was lifted from the game. The men on base were his responsibility, and Assad finished the day pitching 5.2 innings with seven hits and two walks against while fanning seven. At this point, Assad was credited with four earned runs, but that number grew.

In the next at-bat, Luke Little yielded the go-ahead run. Credited to Assad, Tyler Stephenson scored on a TJ Friedl double, making it 5-4 Cincinnati. The Reds failed to add more in the frame, but the damage was done.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Reds blew the game open. A Jeimer Candelario walk was followed by two quick outs for RHP Porter Hodge. Then, when it looked like Hodge struck out Stephenson to end the threat, the umpire called a very clear strike a ball. Ultimately, Stephenson walked, and Hodge was rattled following the miss.

The Reds took advantage of a shaky Hodge. Two more walks to Hurtubise and India made it a 6-4 game. Hodge was lifted for Kyle Hendricks, who allowed two more to score on a Benson single. Although Hendricks got the third out via a tag play at the plate, the Reds led 8-4 through seven innings.

The Cubs went down quietly from there, and fell 8-4 in game one of four to Cincinnati.

So Close, Yet So Far

The Cubs needed a hero in this game. Morel and Suzuki delivered some power, but a red-hot Ian Happ and the rest of the lineup could not make up the four-run deficit late. Hodge SHOULD have escaped the inning in the seventh, but a blatantly awful call extended the inning and allowed the Reds to take advantage. Although the Cubs would've still been trailing by one, it would've been a lot easier of a deficit to overcome.

Nonetheless, the Cubs aren't playing a sustainable version of baseball. Two comeback wins against the Chicago White Sox gave them their first series win in their last seven tries. However, the league's worst team kept things close routinely. If the Cubs hope to be a legit playoff contender, they'll need to clean things up. As of now, they're so close to putting together wins, but so far in the grand scheme of the season.

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs and Reds are back at it for the second game of four against one another. From Cincinnati, OH and Great American Ballpark, LHP Justin Steele will face off against LHP Nick Lodolo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CDT and Marquee Sports Network will carry the broadcast.

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