CINCINNATI -- With the bases loaded, two outs and the Reds down a run, manager Bryan Price decided to let his rookie pitcher take some swings.
Jackson Stephens delivered on the first one.
The right-hander lasted five innings in his major league debut and drove in the go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single on Saturday, leading Cincinnati to a 5-3 victory over the struggling Chicago Cubs.
"It was unbelievable, a childhood dream," said Stephens (1-0), who smacked his hands together after reaching first base on his first major league hit.
The Cubs' fourth loss in five games dropped them to 40-41, well off their pace from a year ago (51-30) when they were on their way to an NL Central title and a World Series championship.
"We look forward to turning that thing around completely and heading in the other direction -- .500 is not good enough for us, and we know that," infielder Ben Zobrist said.
The Cubs' roster has been depleted by injuries, contributing to their season-long inconsistency. Zobrist returned from the disabled list on Saturday, and Kris Bryant was back after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
Manager Joe Maddon thought his team would have a better record at this point, even with the injuries.
"But it's OK," Maddon said. "We get everybody healthy right now, get everybody back out there, and I'm very confident that we'll start looking like we're supposed to look."
Stephens gave up a solo homer by Jon Jay and a two-run shot by Willson Contreras in five innings. He was called up to help the Reds fill an opening in the rotation created by Brandon Finnegan's arm injury.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, Stephens singled up the middle off Eddie Butler (4-3) for two runs and a 4-3 lead.
"I located probably my best fastball of the day to the pitcher and he hits a six-hopper up the middle," Butler said. "That's frustrating."
Raisel Iglesias escaped a two-on threat in the eighth and got the last four outs for his 15th save in 16 chances.
Chicago managed only three singles while losing the series opener 5-0 on Friday night. The Cubs got to Stephens the second time through the order for a 3-0 lead. Jay led off the third inning with his first homer since May 24 of last season, and Contreras added a two-run shot.
Cincinnati sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth. Adam Duvall doubled home a run, and Butler walked Tucker Barnhart to force in a run with two outs and bring up Stephens, who singled on the first pitch.
GOTCHA!
Billy Hamilton singled to open the Reds' first inning and was picked off by Butler, the first time he's been picked off this season.
TWEET
Maddon tweeted two photos of a large group of Cubs fans cheering the team as it left the hotel for the ballpark on Saturday morning. "Pretty spectacular," Maddon said. "And it's humbling, it really is."
STATS
Jay's homer ended a streak of 328 at-bats without one. ... The Cubs have homered in 16 of their last 17 games at Great American Ball Park. ... The Reds will try to sweep the Cubs for the first time at Great American. Their last three-game sweep in Cincinnati came in 1996 at Cinergy Field. ... Stephens is the first Reds pitcher with two RBI in his major league debut since Paul Moskau drove in two runs on June 21, 1977, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau provided by the Reds.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Zobrist was activated off the DL and grounded out as a pinch hitter. He missed 17 games with an injured left wrist. ... OF Jason Heyward starts a rehab assignment on Sunday. He's been sidelined since June 19 by a hand injury.
Reds: SS Zack Cozart got a day off. He returned from a thigh injury and singled twice on Friday night. He'll get days off regularly as he's eased back into a starting role.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Jake Arrieta (7-6) makes his first start since the Washington Nationals stole seven bases against him during the Cubs' 6-1 loss on Tuesday. Afterward, Miguel Montero blamed the pitcher's move to the plate, prompting the Cubs to let go of the catcher a day later.
Reds: Tim Adleman (5-4) is 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in his last seven starts. He didn't get a decision in the Cubs' 6-5 win at Wrigley Field on April 21 after he allowed two runs in six innings.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
Jackson Stephens delivered on the first one.
The right-hander lasted five innings in his major league debut and drove in the go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single on Saturday, leading Cincinnati to a 5-3 victory over the struggling Chicago Cubs.
"It was unbelievable, a childhood dream," said Stephens (1-0), who smacked his hands together after reaching first base on his first major league hit.
The Cubs' fourth loss in five games dropped them to 40-41, well off their pace from a year ago (51-30) when they were on their way to an NL Central title and a World Series championship.
"We look forward to turning that thing around completely and heading in the other direction -- .500 is not good enough for us, and we know that," infielder Ben Zobrist said.
The Cubs' roster has been depleted by injuries, contributing to their season-long inconsistency. Zobrist returned from the disabled list on Saturday, and Kris Bryant was back after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
Manager Joe Maddon thought his team would have a better record at this point, even with the injuries.
"But it's OK," Maddon said. "We get everybody healthy right now, get everybody back out there, and I'm very confident that we'll start looking like we're supposed to look."
Stephens gave up a solo homer by Jon Jay and a two-run shot by Willson Contreras in five innings. He was called up to help the Reds fill an opening in the rotation created by Brandon Finnegan's arm injury.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth, Stephens singled up the middle off Eddie Butler (4-3) for two runs and a 4-3 lead.
"I located probably my best fastball of the day to the pitcher and he hits a six-hopper up the middle," Butler said. "That's frustrating."
Raisel Iglesias escaped a two-on threat in the eighth and got the last four outs for his 15th save in 16 chances.
Chicago managed only three singles while losing the series opener 5-0 on Friday night. The Cubs got to Stephens the second time through the order for a 3-0 lead. Jay led off the third inning with his first homer since May 24 of last season, and Contreras added a two-run shot.
Cincinnati sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth. Adam Duvall doubled home a run, and Butler walked Tucker Barnhart to force in a run with two outs and bring up Stephens, who singled on the first pitch.
GOTCHA!
Billy Hamilton singled to open the Reds' first inning and was picked off by Butler, the first time he's been picked off this season.
TWEET
Maddon tweeted two photos of a large group of Cubs fans cheering the team as it left the hotel for the ballpark on Saturday morning. "Pretty spectacular," Maddon said. "And it's humbling, it really is."
STATS
Jay's homer ended a streak of 328 at-bats without one. ... The Cubs have homered in 16 of their last 17 games at Great American Ball Park. ... The Reds will try to sweep the Cubs for the first time at Great American. Their last three-game sweep in Cincinnati came in 1996 at Cinergy Field. ... Stephens is the first Reds pitcher with two RBI in his major league debut since Paul Moskau drove in two runs on June 21, 1977, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau provided by the Reds.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Zobrist was activated off the DL and grounded out as a pinch hitter. He missed 17 games with an injured left wrist. ... OF Jason Heyward starts a rehab assignment on Sunday. He's been sidelined since June 19 by a hand injury.
Reds: SS Zack Cozart got a day off. He returned from a thigh injury and singled twice on Friday night. He'll get days off regularly as he's eased back into a starting role.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Jake Arrieta (7-6) makes his first start since the Washington Nationals stole seven bases against him during the Cubs' 6-1 loss on Tuesday. Afterward, Miguel Montero blamed the pitcher's move to the plate, prompting the Cubs to let go of the catcher a day later.
Reds: Tim Adleman (5-4) is 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in his last seven starts. He didn't get a decision in the Cubs' 6-5 win at Wrigley Field on April 21 after he allowed two runs in six innings.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
4:10PM,EDT,July 1,2017
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati,Ohio
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati,Ohio
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Chicago - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Stephens pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Jay struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Bryant flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Rizzo singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Contreras struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Eddie Butler pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Hamilton singled to left center. | 0 | 0 |
| Hamilton picked off first. | 0 | 0 |
| Gennett hit by pitch. | 0 | 0 |
| Votto struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Duvall grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Jackson Stephens pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Happ doubled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Russell singled to center, Happ to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Báez struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Almora Jr. struck out swinging. Russell caught stealing second, catcher to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Eddie Butler pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Suárez singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Schebler grounded into double play, first to shortstop to pitcher, Suárez out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| Peraza bunt grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Jackson Stephens pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Butler flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Jay homered to right (365 feet). | 1 | 0 |
| Bryant lined out to center. | 1 | 0 |
| Rizzo walked. | 1 | 0 |
| Contreras homered to center (442 feet), Rizzo scored. | 3 | 0 |
| Happ struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| 3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Eddie Butler pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Barnhart lined out to right. | 3 | 0 |
| Stephens grounded out to pitcher. | 3 | 0 |
| Hamilton grounded out to first. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Jackson Stephens pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Russell grounded out to third. | 3 | 0 |
| Báez struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Almora Jr. struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Eddie Butler pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Gennett walked. | 3 | 0 |
| Votto singled to right, Gennett to third. | 3 | 0 |
| Duvall doubled to deep center, Gennett scored, Votto to third. | 3 | 1 |
| Suárez struck out swinging. | 3 | 1 |
| Schebler intentionally walked. | 3 | 1 |
| Peraza popped out to shortstop. | 3 | 1 |
| Barnhart walked, Votto scored, Duvall to third, Schebler to second. | 3 | 2 |
| Stephens singled to center, Duvall and Schebler scored, Barnhart to second. | 3 | 4 |
| Duensing relieved Butler. | 3 | 4 |
| Hamilton popped out to shortstop. | 3 | 4 |
| 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Jackson Stephens pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Duensing struck out looking. | 3 | 4 |
| Jay singled to shallow center. | 3 | 4 |
| Bryant fouled out to first. | 3 | 4 |
| Rizzo flied out to center. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Brian Duensing pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Gennett popped out to shortstop. | 3 | 4 |
| Votto singled to shallow left. | 3 | 4 |
| Duvall struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| Suárez walked, Votto to second. | 3 | 4 |
| Schebler flied out to left. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Drew Storen pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Storen relieved Stephens. | 3 | 4 |
| Contreras doubled to left. | 3 | 4 |
| Happ flied out to center. | 3 | 4 |
| Russell hit by pitch. | 3 | 4 |
| Báez grounded into double play, third to second to first, Russell out at second. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Pedro Strop pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Strop relieved Duensing. | 3 | 4 |
| Peraza popped out to second. | 3 | 4 |
| Barnhart flied out to left. | 3 | 4 |
| Mesoraco hit for Storen. | 3 | 4 |
| Mesoraco struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Tony Cingrani pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Cingrani relieved Storen. | 3 | 4 |
| Almora Jr. flied out to right. | 3 | 4 |
| Candelario hit for Strop. | 3 | 4 |
| Candelario struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| Jay grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Koji Uehara pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Uehara relieved Strop. | 3 | 4 |
| Hamilton walked. | 3 | 4 |
| Gennett singled to center, Hamilton to third. | 3 | 4 |
| Votto intentionally walked, Gennett to second. | 3 | 4 |
| Duvall grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Hamilton scored, Votto out at second, Gennett to third. | 3 | 5 |
| Suárez walked. | 3 | 5 |
| Schebler grounded out to second. | 3 | 5 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Michael Lorenzen pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Lorenzen relieved Cingrani. | 3 | 5 |
| Bryant singled to center. | 3 | 5 |
| Rizzo flied out to left. | 3 | 5 |
| Contreras struck out swinging. | 3 | 5 |
| Happ walked, Bryant to second. | 3 | 5 |
| Kivlehan in right field. | 3 | 5 |
| Iglesias relieved Lorenzen. | 3 | 5 |
| Zobrist hit for Russell. | 3 | 5 |
| Zobrist grounded out to third. | 3 | 5 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Carl Edwards Jr. pitching for Chicago | CHC | CIN |
| Zobrist at second base. | 3 | 5 |
| Báez at shortstop. | 3 | 5 |
| Edwards Jr. relieved Uehara. | 3 | 5 |
| Peraza struck out swinging. | 3 | 5 |
| Barnhart singled to left. | 3 | 5 |
| Kivlehan grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, Barnhart out at second. | 3 | 5 |
| Kivlehan stole second. | 3 | 5 |
| Hamilton grounded out to third. | 3 | 5 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Raisel Iglesias pitching for Cincinnati | CHC | CIN |
| Báez grounded out to first. | 3 | 5 |
| La Stella hit for Almora Jr.. | 3 | 5 |
| La Stella grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 5 |
| Caratini hit for Edwards Jr.. | 3 | 5 |
| Caratini grounded out to first. | 3 | 5 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Jay LF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 21 | .305 | .383 | .396 |
| Bryant 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .264 | .393 | .516 |
| Rizzo 1B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | .259 | .385 | .500 |
| Contreras C | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .253 | .320 | .453 |
| Happ RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | .252 | .322 | .523 |
| Russell SS | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .230 | .300 | .397 |
b-Zobrist PH-2B
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .222 | .319 | .392 |
| Báez 2B-SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | .249 | .290 | .444 |
| Almora Jr. CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | .259 | .330 | .377 |
c-La Stella PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | .265 | .362 | .408 |
| Butler P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .071 | .133 | .071 |
Duensing P
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Strop P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
a-Candelario PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .152 | .222 | .303 |
Uehara P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |
d-Caratini PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 33 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 149 | |||
| a-struck out swinging for P Strop in the 7th b-grounded to third for A Russell in the 8th c-grounded to shortstop for A Almora Jr. in the 9th d-grounded to first for C Edwards Jr. in the 9th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Happ (10, Stephens); Contreras (15, Storen) HR: Jay (1, 3rd inning off Stephens 0 on, 1 Out); Contreras (10, 3rd inning off Stephens 1 on, 2 Out) RBI: Jay (15), Contreras 2 (40) 2-out RBI: Contreras 2 GIDP: Báez Cubs RISP: 1-6 (Báez 0-2, Almora Jr. 0-1, Zobrist 0-1, Russell 1-1, Happ 0-1) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING CS: Russell (1, 2nd base by Stephens/Barnhart) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 2 (Rizzo-Russell-Butler, Russell-Báez-Rizzo). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH |
| Attendance | 39,826 (94.1% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:02 |
| Weather | 83 degrees, partly cloudy |
| Wind | 8 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Angel Hernandez, First Base - John Tumpane, Second Base - Chad Whitson, Third Base - Ted Barrett |
No comments:
Post a Comment