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Reds 6 Cubs 5
Reds rookie Andrew Abbott didn't have his best stuff Monday night at Wrigley Field, but the Reds bats and bullpen had his back. Abbott lasted just 3.1 innings, the shortest outing of his young career, allowing four runs. But the Reds raced to an early 6-1 lead and the bullpen handled the final 17 outs in a 6-5 win.
That's another classic 'Team' win. Another road win. Another one run win.
The Brewers lost to the Nationals. The Reds lead the NL Central by 1.5 games over Milwaukee and 5.0 over Chicago.
They win their 59th game (59-49 on July 31. A year ago, they reached 59 wins on September 21 (59-90).
Long night/short outing: The two starters combined to pitch just 6.1 innings, allowing 10 runs. Abbott 3.1 IN, 4 R....Cubs SP Marcus Stroman 3 IN, 6 R.
Team: Five Reds drove in runs. Batters 6 through 9 were a combined 7 for 16, 3 R, 5 RBI, 3 2B, 3B. Six relievers recorded 17 outs, 1 run.
Two out action: The Reds plated three runs after two were out in the 2nd inning on four consecutive hits off Marcus Stroman.
Votto singled and raced 1st to 3rd on a CES 1B. Votto scored on a Will Benson double. Luke Maile brought home two more on a 2B.
Abbott: 3.1 IN, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 76 pitches/45 strikes. It was the shortest outing of his young career. He was knocked around in a 3-run/34 pitch 3rd inning. His 17 inning scoreless streak ended on a 2nd inning solo homer by Dansby Swanson. His 17.2 inning scoreless streak to begin his career was ended vs Rockies on a Brenton Doyle HR to leadoff game. He allowed fewer than three runs in 8 of his first 10 starts. He was coming off back-to-back starts of 100+ pitches, including a career high 113 in his last start.
Twice is nice: 2 hits for Votto, CES, Benson.
Big inning: Leading 6-4, Lucas Sims started the 7th with HBP-SB-BB......but then got K-K and a pop out.
Missed chance: Will Benson tripled with one out in the 8th, but he was stranded by Maile K and De La Cruz K.
Bullpen: 17 outs.....Buck Farmer 1.2 IN, 0 R....Fernando Cruz 0.2 IN, 0 R.....Alex Young 0.1 IN, 0 R.....Sims 1.0 IN, 0 R.....Ian Gibaut 1.0 IN, 1 R.....Alexis Diaz 1.0 IN, 0 R...save No. 32.
Who's on 2nd? Spencer Steer got his first start at 2B since last September. He completed a nice 4-3 DP where he tagged the runner who had stopped on his way to 2nd.
Top of the order: Batters 1 through 5 were a combined 1 for 19 with 8 K, 5 BB, 3 R, RBI.
How the Reds scored
2nd: Benson 2-out RBI 1B, 1-0 Reds
2nd: Maile 2-out, 2 RBI 2B, 3-0 Reds
3rd Fraley RBI 1B, 4-1 Reds
3rd: Votto RBI 1B, 5-1 Reds
3rd: CES FC, 6-1 Reds
Trade! The Reds acquired from the Athletics 31-year old LHP Sam Moll (Mole) and international cap space for minor league RHP Joe Boyle…
Moll this season: 0-3 4.54, 1 save in 44 appearances, 37.2 IN, 34 H, 19 BB, 46 K. LHB hitting .1977 vs Moll this year. Overall, he's allowed 1 HR in 170 plate appearances. His FIP of 3.25 vs ERA of 4.54 indicates he's pitched to some tough luck this season. Last season: 2.91 in 53 appearances. Contract: $760K this year. Arbitration eligible 2025. Free agent 2028.