Photo: Getty Images
Reds 4 Cubs 3
The way Wednesday night's game started was reminiscent of Tuesday night, with Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo struggling in the first inning and the Cubs jumping to an early 2-0 lead. But unlike Tyler Mahle, Castillo found a groove and tossed four more innings without further damage. Led by Joey Votto's triple, homer and three runs batted in, the Reds jumped on Cubs starter Kyle Hendrick for four runs in the first three innings to take the lead. The Reds bullpen took over closed things out from there in a 4-3 win to snap a two game losing streak.
Things got dicey in the 9th when the Cubs reached Hunter Strickland for a hit, walk and hit by pitch that produced a run to make it 4-3. But with two runners on he struck out Christopher Morel to end the game and pick up the save, his first since 2019.
Tension: Emotions were dialed up in the 8th inning as Votto had words for Cubs reliever Rowan Wick and the Cubs dugout following a four pitch walk that included a pitch that was high and tight to Votto. The temperature rose when Strickland hit Patrick Wisdom with a pitch in the 9th inning. Cubs manager David Ross was heated and got tossed.
Settling in: Castillo was out of whack in a 31 pitch first inning that saw him allow 2 H, BB, 2 R. But he found his stride and allowed just two hits and threw 63 pitches over his final four innings. 5 IN, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K. 94 pitches/61 strikes. He struck out the side in the 3rd inning. He
Go-ahead: Trailing 2-1 in the 4th inning, the Reds jumped on Hendricks for four hits and three runs. Aramis Garcia and Matt Reynolds started the inning singles. Tommy Pham added an RBI single. Joey Votto ripped a two-run triple.
Charged up: Votto was 2 for 3, BB, R, 3 RBI. He roped a 396 foot homer at 107.5 mph off the bat vs Kyle Hendricks to get the Reds on the board in the 2nd inning. His 2-run triple in the 3rd inning gave the Reds a 4-2 lead. Votto produced one extra-base hit (2B) in 22 games prior to going on the IL, but has added five (2 2B, 3B, 2 HR) since his return. It was Votto's first triple at GABP since Aug. 22, 2016. He entered the game with a career mark of 13 for 36 (.361), with 4 HR, 15 BB vs Hendricks.
Again: Ian Happ doubled off the wall to drive in two runs and give the Cubs a 2-0 1st inning lead. Happ has 6 RBI in the series.
Flashing leather: Nick Senzel made two sliding catches and a leaping catch on the warning track in the 9th and Mike Moustakas added three nice plays from the hot corner.
Twice, is nice: Matt Reynolds and Tommy Pham each collected two hits.
Support system: Castillo was backed by four relievers that combined for 4 IN/1 R. Tony Santillan 1.0, Alexi Diaz 1.0 (ERA 0.87), Art Warren 1.0, Hunter Strickland 1.0, 1 R and the save...