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Reds 7 Cubs 1
Take it: Mike Minor 5.2 IN, 10 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 83 pitches/57 strikes. His navigation around the traffic of 11 base runners was aided by three double play balls. David Bell visited the mound after he issued his first walk w/ 2 outs in the 6th and opted to keep him in. But Minor allowed a single to the next batter and was done. Derek Law got the final out of the inning, stranded two inherited runners. Per Bally Sports, the three DP balls are a season high by a Reds pitcher.
Minor's last three starts: 17.1 IN, 5 R, 2 BB, 12 K, 2.63 ERA.
Blast off! Aristides Aquino had a 3 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI night. He crushed a 3rd inning homer (6) that traveled 438 feet at 113 mph off the bat.
He later added an RBI single and then capped his night with a solo shot (7) in the 9th inning. The three hits tied his career high.
12 of his 38 lifetime HR have come vs the Cubs....including all three of his multi-homer games.
Taking advantage: Leading 2-1 in the 6th inning, six straight batters reached, five with hits, and the Reds tacked on four runs in the 6th inning. They scored twice when Steer's infield chopper (single) scored one run and a throwing error on 3B Christopher Morel plated another on the play. Donovan Solano and Aquino each singled in runs.
Good AB: Jose Barrero battled and drew an early eight pitch walk in the 3rd inning. He did strike out two more times.....48 in 108 PA.
Mr. Versatile: Rookie Spencer Steer started at 2B, after already starting at 3B and 1B in his first week in the big leagues. He had a single, a run and an RBI.
Cleaning up: Jake Fraley, hitting the clean-up spot went opposite field for his 9th HR (381 feet/100.3 mph) to give the Reds a 2-1 lead in the 4th inning.
It was his 8th long ball since returning from the IL July 29.
Another two hit night: TJ Friedl had a single and a triple. His 5th triple this season.
Better: One night after issuing a season-high 11 walks, Reds pitches issued just two free passes.
In relief: Law 1.1 IN, 0 R, 2 K.....Kuhnel 2.0, 0 R, 2 K......