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Reds 3 Cubs 2
In what felt like a gotta have it win, the Reds got it.
Down 2-1 with one out in the bottom of the 9th, Nick Martini rocketed a game tying homer. Then, with two outs, Noelvi Marte lined a game-winning single to plate Stuart Fairchild. The win salvages a split in the doubleheader.
It was the Reds 8th walkoff win of the season and 42nd come from behind win. I’m still not sure how they pulled that one off. They also take a 6-5 lead in the season series vs the Cubs, for tiebreaking purposes.
The winner: CES singled with one out in the 9th. Stuart Fairchild pinch ran, stole 2nd and raced to 3rd on a poor throw. With two outs, Marte sent a laser up the middle to win it.
Hold it, win it: David Bell turned to Alexis Diaz to keep the deficit at 2-1 in the top of the 9th. He did.
Lyon Richardson: Give him credit. He walked the bases loaded in the 1st innnig, but he got out of it with three K’s on 37 pitches and got into the 5th. 4.2 IN, 2H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 K. 91 pitches/51 strikes. He navigated innings 2 through 4 on a total of 41 pitches. He exited after his 5th walk of the night with two outs in the 5th. That final walk scored to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
The offense entered the 9th with just five hits, then proved three more. They struck out 14 times.
Leading man: Jake Fraley, off the IL earlier in the day, hit leadoff as the DH in Game 2. He lined a single and two doubles…..with a broken toe that requires surgery.
Yikes: 4 more K for Elly De La Cruz. Pitchers are just toying with him. Any fear has evaporated. 117 K in 332 plate appearances (35%).
Out on the bases: Will Benson walked in the 4th and was thrown out trying to advance on a ball in the dirt with two outs.
Flipped: The Cubs used RHP Jose Quas as their opener. He got two outs in the 1st and was replaced by LHP Drew Smyly, who pitched two outs into the 4th inning. .
Gloooooove: Marte fielded a hot smash with a dive that carried him into foul territory, got up, and made a strong throw to 1B to get the out. He also had a nice charge and throw.
Bullpen: Sam Moll entered the game at 1-1 with a man on and two outs in the 5th. He allowed a steal and then an RBI single to Ian Happ that broke the tie.
How the Reds scored:
3rd Friedl RBI 2B scored Fraley, 1-1
9th Martini solo HR, 2-2