Cubs' Dramatic Comeback
Alex Bregman's Go-Ahead Homer Lifts Cubs Past Reds 5-3 in Rally
Key Points
Lodolo exited with a blister on his left index finger after allowing Carson Kelly's leadoff homer in the sixth, finishing five-plus innings with two runs on five hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Alex Bregman delivered the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh, his eighth of the season, which came on an 82 mph sweeper and marked his first go-ahead homer since June 30 (after joining the Cubs).
Seiya Suzuki started the decisive stretch by drawing a one-out walk off Julian Garcia before Bregman followed with the go-ahead shot.
Nathaniel Lowe opened Cincinnati's scoring with a 381-foot homer in the fourth, his first homer and RBI since May 29, before Eugenio Suárez followed with a back-to-back solo shot for the Reds.
Alex Bregman delivered the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning Saturday night, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Sports Yahoo reported the blast capped a comeback that keeps Chicago's playoff push alive heading into the All-Star break.
The victory improves the Cubs to 53-42 on the season. They sit 1.5 games ahead in the Wild Card race and set up a rubber-match series finale on Sunday, according to Bleed Cubbie Blue.
Bregman's Seventh-Inning Blast Breaks the Tie
The Cubs trailed 3-2 entering the seventh. Seiya Suzuki drew a one-out walk off Julian Garcia. Then Bregman turned on an 82 mph sweeper and drove it out for a two-run shot, his eighth homer of the season. It was his first go-ahead homer since June 30, according to Bleed Cubbie Blue.
CubsHQ called it a game-winning blast that ended Chicago's two-game skid against Cincinnati. The Cubs had failed to score against Reds starters in back-to-back games before breaking through Saturday.
Kelly's Tying Homer Knocks Out Lodolo in Sixth
Carson Kelly started the rally. He led off the sixth with a solo homer that tied the game at 2-2. That hit chased Reds starter Nick Lodolo, who left with a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo finished five-plus innings with two runs, five hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Before Kelly's blast, the Cubs had been held in check. Lodolo kept Chicago quiet through five frames. Once he left, the door opened. Sports Yahoo noted the bullpen could not protect the lead after his exit.
Reds Back-to-Back Homers Put Chicago in Early Hole
Cincinnati struck first in the fourth inning. Nathaniel Lowe hit a 381-foot solo homer — his first homer and RBI since May 29. Eugenio Suárez followed immediately with a back-to-back solo shot. The Reds added another run on a JJ Bleday solo homer later, building a 3-2 lead.
Javier Assad kept Chicago close. He pitched five innings and gave up just two runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked no one. SI highlighted his high-leverage performance — opponents hit just .125 against him in those spots — as a key reason Chicago stayed in the game.
Cubs' Bullpen Holds On; Playoff Race Stays Tight
Chicago's bullpen did enough after Bregman's homer. Thielbar and Webb bridged the gap. Ryan Rolison hit a rough patch in the ninth but Trent Thornton came in and closed it out for his third save of the season, per Bleed Cubbie Blue.
The Cubs sit six games back in the division but lead the Wild Card by 1.5 games. SI reported Chicago could enter the All-Star break roughly 12 games over .500 with a win Sunday. FanGraphs projects the team to finish with 90.4 wins and earn the second Wild Card spot.
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