Ben Brown Shines as Cubs Take Low-Scoring Affair Against Reds
The Cubs and Reds faced off in game two of their three-game weekend series at Wrigley Field as the Cubs looked to avenge Friday’s 6-2 loss to Cincinnati and even the series. This game turned out to be much different than any other game these two teams have played all year long as it was the pitchers who stole the show in this one. This game saw just nine total hits and two runs scored between the two teams. Ultimately, it was the Cubs that were able to scratch and claw their way to a tight win to even the series. Here is a recap of the action from Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon.
This was a classic pitcher’s duel through and through. Lefty Nick Lodolo started for the Reds, and the Cubs went with the opener approach, starting reliever Drew Pomeranz. Lodolo was fantastic in his six innings of work as he only surrendered five hits and two walks with zero runs allowed. This was Lodolo’s second consecutive start against the Cubs, and it was a good bounce-back performance after he allowed three earned runs to the Cubs last weekend in Cincinnati. As for the Cubs, Pomeranz worked a perfect first inning before handing it over to Ben Brown, who put together one of his best performances of the season. It was a much-needed performance given the responsibility bestowed upon Brown as the last starter in an already injury-riddled rotation. Brown went six dominant innings where he only allowed two total baserunners. He also tallied a season-high nine strikeouts.
There was eventually scoring in this game, but it had to wait until the eighth inning. Seiya Suzuki broke the scoreless tie with an RBI double down the right field line to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Then, Dansby Swanson added some insurance as he legged out an infield single to shortstop to drive in the second run of the inning for Chicago. The Cubs took their 2-0 lead into the top of the ninth, where Daniel Palencia slammed the door shut by working a perfect ninth inning to give the Cubs the slim 2-0 victory. Saturday’s win for the Cubs sets up a series rubber match at 2:20 P.M. EST on Sunday afternoon.
