Games 17 and 18: Cubs Take Two From Reds over Weekend

They were supposed to play three, but Mother Nature had other plans for the Cubs and Reds on Saturday. A short two game series ended in the Cubs taking both from Cincinnati, and familiar issues rearing their ugly head once again for the Reds. 

Game 17: CHC 7, CIN 3 F/11

The Friday night game started off great for Cincinnati. The Reds jumped out to a 2-0 lead after Billy Hamilton scored two runs in his first two trips up. In the top of the fourth, Anthony Rizzo belted a home run off of Mike Leake to tie the game up at 2. In the bottom half of the inning, Zack Cozart hit a sac fly that would score Marlon Byrd to regain the lead for Cincinnati. Leake would give up a solo homer in the 7th to Chris Coghlan, and with that, the game headed to extras. In the 11th, Chicago would score four runs off of Burke Badenhop to finish off the game. 

Game 18: CHC 5, CIN 2

The Sunday afternoon matchup would feature Jake Arrieta and Anthony DeSclafani. It was the first time that DeSclafani would get roughed up this season as he took his first loss as a Red. He went five innings and gave up five runs, but only one of which were earned. Todd Frazier would hit his 5th home run of the season in a losing effort. Miguel Montero also hit his 100th home run of his career in the game. This one was never in doubt for the Cubs. 

A few things we can take away from this losing series are both good and bad. 

GOOD:

Billy Hamilton had three steals Friday night, and one on Sunday upping his total to 13 for the season. At the pace he is going, he will certainly break his own personal record (56) and lead the league. 

Mike Leake is getting it together. Not normally know as a strikeout pitcher, Leake rang up 9 Cubs in 7 innings of work Friday night while not factoring in the decision. He command is back where we think it should be. Leake threw 110 pitches, 73 for strikes. 

BAD:

The Reds did not hit well with runners in scoring position during the series. I might sound like a broken record, but for crying out loud, they were 0-for-20 in two games! If this stat doesn't improve, we might be in for a long season. 

UP NEXT:

Jimmy Nelson vs Jason Marquis

The Brewers come to town for a three-game tilt. This could be just what the doctor ordered seeing as the Reds just took three out of four in Milwaukee last week. Let's hope they get back on track!

-Dug

@chansm1th