Game Seventeen – Cubs 5, Reds 2
WP – Jake Arrieta (3-1) LP – Anthony DeSclafani (2-1) Save – Hector Rondon (4)
Miguel Montero drove in the first two runs. And Addison Russell delivered a bases clearing two-out double in the four-run fourth inning as the Cubs completed the two-game sweep over the Reds on Sunday afternoon.
The Cubs offense did just enough Sunday and took advantage of an error by Todd Frazier in the fourth inning that opened the door.
Miguel Montero (2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI) put the Cubs on the board in the second inning with a solo homer to left, the 100th home run of his career. Montero singled in Anthony Rizzo (0-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base) with the second run of the game after Kris Bryant (0-for-4 with a run scored) reached on an error by Todd Frazier.
The Reds intentionally walked Chris Coghlan (1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored) to load the bases with one out for Jake Arrieta. Anthony DeSclafani struck out Arrieta swinging.
Addison Russell (1-for-4 with a double and three RBI) made an in-bat adjustment that paid off. Russell drove a 1-2 pitch to deep right center. The ball hit off the base of the wall and cleared the bases. Russell just missed a Grand Slam. Russell’s second big league double ended up being the difference in the game.
The Cubs managed only one hit and one walk over the last four innings of the game. The Cubs scored five runs on six hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts. On the day, the Cubs were 2-for-7 with RISP and left four men on base.
Jake Arrieta had two different outings in one Sunday afternoon.
Over the first three innings of Sunday’s start, Arrieta was perfect and incredibly sharp. Arrieta needed only 34 pitches, 24 for strikes, to retire the first nine batters he faced. Arrieta made quick work of Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto for the first two outs in the fourth inning. Arrieta retired 11 in a row before he lost it after a 1-1 pitch to Todd Frazier.
Todd Frazier reached down and hooked a curveball over the wall in left. The Reds first hit and baserunner of the game appeared to take Arrieta out of his game. Brandon Phillips and Brennan Boesch followed with singles. Arrieta struck out Marlon Byrd swinging (2-2 count) on the 29th pitch of the inning.
Jake Arrieta continued to labor in the fifth and really struggled with his command. Arrieta issued back-to-back walks to Brayan Pena and pinch-hitter Devin Mesoraco (four-pitch walk) to load the bases. Billy Hamilton grounded out to Castro and the Cubs lead was cut to 5-2. After Hamilton stole second, Arrieta walked Joey Votto to reload the bases.
Jake Arrieta jammed Todd Frazier with a 2-2 pitch and he fouled out to Rizzo. Brandon Phillips grounded out to short to end the threat in the fifth. Arrieta found his command against Frazier and Phillips and limited the Reds to one run.
Joe Maddon sent Arrieta to the hill in the sixth and a sensational play Starlin Castro kept him in the game. Castro made a backhanded, diving stop and threw out Brennan Boesch from his knees for the first out in the sixth. Arrieta struck out Marlon Byrd (swinging) and Zack Cozart (looking) to end the inning … and his outing.
Zac Rosscup gave up a two out triple to Billy Hamilton in the seventh, but that was all. Rosscup struck out Joey Votto to end the inning.
Pedro Strop tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning. And Hector Rondon picked up the save by striking out two of the four batters he faced in the ninth.
The Cubs completed the sweep over the Reds and ended up with a 4-2 record on the six-game trip through Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
With Sunday’s win, the Cubs improved to 10-7 on the young season.
The Cubs open a six-game homestand Monday night (7:05pm CDT) with the first of three against the Pirates. Jason Hammel is scheduled to face Vance Worley in game one.