Game 8: DeSclafani Shuts Down Cubs, 3-2

Anthony DeSclafani's spectacular debut carried over Tuesday night in Chicago as he became the first Reds's starter to register a win this season. DeSclafani threw seven shutout innings while giving up two hits and striking out five. His counterpart for the evening, Jake Arrieta, didn't fare as well. The last time Arrieta saw the Reds, he sent them packing with a one-hit shutout. Tonight, he threw 6.2 innings while giving up three runs. The Cubs offense was scratching their heads with DeSclafani on the mound, and never got any type of momentum. 

Joey Votto continued to produce good at bats when he opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Votto drove in Billy Hamilton on a single to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Jay Bruce would score Todd Frazier, and Marlon Byrd would knock Brandon Phillips in to take a 3-0 lead. In that same inning, Phillips would get tangled up with Starlin Castro at third base. In the at bat that scored Frazier, Phillips made it into third ahead of the throw. Castro, trying to make a play, turned to attempt to place a tag on Phillips and fell instead. What looked like a malicious tackle you might see on a gridiron was nothing more than an act of clumsiness in which Castro simply tripped on his own feet. Phillips would exit the game an inning later feeling lightheaded. 

In the 8th inning, our old friend, and former Cubbie, Kevin Gregg would come to relieve DeSclafani. It did not take him long to leave his mark on the game. Gregg walked Matt Szczur and followed that by giving up a pinch-hit home run to Wellington Castillo that would cut the lead to 3-2. He was immediately replaced by Tony Cingrani who recorded the last out of the inning, but not before giving up a hit and issuing a walk. The two runs given up by Gregg raised his era to 17.18. He has also given up at least one earned run in each of his four appearances this season. Aroldis Chapman came on to close the game out in the ninth for his third save of the season in as many tries. 

In the rubber match of the series, Cincinnati will send out Jason Marquis to face Travis Wood. Marquis is coming off his first start in more than a year and hopes to continue how he left off. Wood might want to forget his previous outing. Wood made his major league debut with the Reds and spent two seasons with the club. Since being traded to Chicago, Wood is 2-5 with an era of 2.98 in 10 starts against his former team. 

Injury News

Devin Mesoraco had an MRI on his hip, but is still unlikely to land on the DL. Manager Bryan Price expects Mesoraco to miss less than a week. 

Billy Hamilton returned to the lineup after missing one game with an injured finger. He had one hit, a stolen base, and scored the opening run of the game. 

As previously said, Brandon Phillips left the game in the fifth inning after a collision in the forth with Starlin Castro. He complained of being lightheaded, and passed all of the concussion protocol. Price was recorded saying that Phillips could play on Wednesday. My guess is he will get the day off and Skip Schumaker will get a spot start. The Reds have Thursday off before traveling to St Louis so Phillips should have plenty of time to rest. 

-Dug

@chansm1th