Reds Edge Cubs in Wild Finish as Injuries, Replays, and Clutch Hits Steal the Show

TJ Friedl delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at Wrigley Field.

Tyler Stephenson went deep for the Reds, and Elly De La Cruz chipped in with an RBI double. Cincinnati, which had lost four of its last six, improved to 59-54 on the season.

Dansby Swanson hit his 17th home run for the Cubs, who dropped to 65-47 and now trail the NL Central-leading Brewers by three games.

Friedl’s clutch hit came with two outs and runners on the corners, lofting a soft liner into center field off Caleb Thielbar to bring home Jake Fraley. Ryan Brasier (0-1) took the loss for Chicago.

The Cubs threatened in the bottom of the seventh, getting Willi Castro to third with two outs. Swanson then hit a grounder to third and was initially called safe at first, but a Reds challenge revealed he missed the bag, and the call was overturned.

Both starting pitchers exited early due to injury. Reds lefty Nick Lodolo retired the first five batters he faced before leaving with a blister on his throwing hand. Cubs starter Michael Soroka, making his team debut on his 28th birthday, lasted just two innings before leaving with right shoulder discomfort. He had been acquired from the Nationals last week.

Nick Martinez came on in relief and gave up Swanson’s two-run homer in the third, giving Chicago a brief 2-1 lead. But the Cubs managed just three hits overall.

Scott Barlow (5-0) earned the win with two scoreless frames, and Emilio Pagán closed it out with a clean ninth for his 24th save.

Ben Brown filled in admirably for the Cubs, allowing just one run across four innings in relief of Soroka.

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