Reds Hit Four Homers, Erase Deficit to Topple Cubs 10-8
Source: ABC 7 Chicago Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
CHICAGO -- The Cincinnati Reds turned a quiet afternoon at Wrigley Field into a fireworks display, rallying from three runs down to defeat the Chicago Cubs 10-8 on Friday night. Four home runs fueled the comeback, including a decisive three-run shot from Tyler Stephenson that capped a five-run sixth inning.
The Cubs jumped out early, scoring three times in the first three innings against Reds starter Rhett Lowder. But Cincinnati chipped away in the fifth, cutting the lead to 3-2 with a pair of runs. The real explosion came in the sixth. Jose Trevino led off with a solo home run to tie the game. After a walk, TJ Friedl singled, and Sal Stewart drove in a run with a base hit. Stephenson then stepped to the plate, launching a 399-foot blast to center field that cleared the bases and put the Reds ahead 7-3.
Cubs reliever Trent Thornton, normally a reliable arm, had a disastrous outing. In just two-thirds of an inning, he surrendered five runs on four hits and a walk, taking the loss. Thornton had been excellent for Chicago, not allowing a run in August and giving up only four earned runs over his last 26 appearances since mid-June. The bullpen's struggles continued a troubling trend: the Cubs' relievers blew two saves on their recent West Coast trip.
Cincinnati kept adding on. Stewart, who had a single, a walk, two RBIs, and two runs scored, hit his 29th homer of the season in the seventh. Friedl also went deep in the eighth, giving the Reds a 9-3 cushion. Five Reds players recorded multi-hit games, including shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who collected three hits, two RBIs, and a run.
The Cubs refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the eighth, Seiya Suzuki doubled in a run, and rookie Pedro Ramirez crushed a three-run homer to cut the deficit to 9-8. But Reds relievers slammed the door, retiring the side in order in the ninth. Lowder, who allowed three runs on five hits with five strikeouts over six innings, earned his sixth win against eight losses.
The victory was especially sweet for Cincinnati, which had struggled mightily at Wrigley Field this season. The Reds were swept in a four-game series in Chicago in May and entered Friday with a 1-6 record against the wild card-leading Cubs. The win pulled them closer in the National League wild card race.
Looking ahead, the Reds send left-hander Andrew Abbott (6-9, 4.15 ERA) to the mound on Saturday, while the Cubs counter with right-hander Kevin Gausman (7-11, 4.37). Both teams will be eager to gain momentum in the tight playoff chase.
Article commentary
This game was a microcosm of the Chicago Cubs' season in many ways: a strong start, a shaky bullpen, and a late rally that fell just short. For the Cincinnati Reds, it was a statement win that showed their resilience and power. The four home runs, including a critical three-run blast from Tyler Stephenson, demonstrated the depth of a lineup that has often been inconsistent. Cubs reliever Trent Thornton's implosion is particularly concerning. He had been one of the few bright spots in a bullpen that has struggled with consistency. His sudden collapse, giving up five runs in just two-thirds of an inning, raises questions about the team's ability to hold leads in high-leverage situations. The Cubs' bullpen has now blown multiple saves in recent weeks, and with the wild card race tightening, those lapses could prove costly. On the other side, the Reds capitalized on Chicago's mistakes. They showed patience at the plate, working counts and waiting for mistakes. The sixth-inning rally was a textbook example of good hitting: Trevino's solo shot set the tone, and then the lineup strung together hits and walks to put pressure on Thornton. Stephenson's home run was the exclamation point, but the entire inning was built on disciplined at-bats. Elly De La Cruz continues to be a dynamic force. His three-hit night, including two RBIs, underscored his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. If the Reds can get consistent production from their young stars, they could be a dangerous team in the postseason. The Cubs' comeback attempt in the eighth was encouraging, but it also highlighted a lingering issue: the team's inability to sustain rallies. Seiya Suzuki and rookie Pedro Ramirez provided the fireworks, but they were left too much to do. The Cubs needed more from the top of the order earlier in the game. Looking ahead, Saturday's matchup between Andrew Abbott and Kevin Gausman could be pivotal. Both pitchers have been inconsistent, but Gausman has the experience to neutralize a hot Reds lineup. The Cubs need to win this series to maintain their wild card lead, while the Reds are hungry to close the gap. Ultimately, this game was a reminder that in baseball, momentum can shift in an instant. The Reds seized it, and the Cubs let it slip away. How each team responds from here will define their postseason hopes.