Reds Use Early Burst and Late Rally to Top Cubs
The Reds jumped to an early lead and then rallied in the sixth inning to beat the Cubs 6-4. Elly De La Cruz walked, stole second, and scored in the first, while Eugenio Suarez tied the game with an RBI single. Jose Trevino's two-run single put Cincinnati ahead for good.
The Reds’ first-inning burst featured a triple from Carlos Jorge, a walk and stolen base by Elly De La Cruz, and a sacrifice fly from Sal Stewart before Ty Stephenson’s infield single drove in De La Cruz. Cincinnati added another run in the third on a double play. Starter Chase Burns worked three innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the second with strikeouts of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki, but allowed a two-run homer to Ian Happ in the third. Julian Aguiar, making his first MLB appearance since Tommy John surgery in 2024, surrendered two runs over three innings. Brock Burke, Tejay Antone, and Emilio Pagán (24th save) closed out the win.
This victory could bolster the Reds’ late-season momentum as they chase playoff positioning, while the Cubs face pressure to reverse a losing trend. Fans of both teams may see the game as a turning point—Cincinnati’s early aggression and late clutch hitting could build confidence, whereas Chicago’s bullpen struggles might raise concerns. The result may also influence roster decisions and pitching plans for the series finale, affecting player workloads and strategic adjustments.