Wrigley Field
Chicago, IL
4/15/15
The Cubs look to continue their winning ways over the Reds as they face them in game 2 of their series. Tonight’s game features Anthony DeSclafani vs. Travis Wood. Wood starts off on a bad foot as Billy Hamilton, who was struggling pretty badly rips a 3-1 fastball into the left field power alley for a double. Skip Schumaker then slips a single past Kris Bryant for an RBI and the Reds pick up the lead.
Jay Bruce strikes out and Joey Votto hits a hard smash that Addison Russell makes a solid backhand grab and fires to Starlin Castro who leaps over a hard slide by Schumaker and Rizzo makes a great stretch for the inning ending double play, but the Reds lead 1-0.
DeSclafani looks good early, and after allowing a one out double to Castro gets two quick outs and the Cubs are quickly retired and keep their one run lead.
Wood looks much better in the second inning and totally overpowers the Reds and strikes out the side. The Cubs still don’t have anything for DeSclafani who continues to look good and he retires the side in order and it is still a one run game after two innings.
The Reds get shut down again in the third and although Russell drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third come up with nothing and after three innings of play the Reds still lead 1-0.
Bruce gets a one out single that ends Wood’s consecutive batters retired streak at 9, but he quickly ends the inning without any runs allowed. The Cubs get their first real chance in the bottom of the inning when Rizzo walks and moves to third when Todd Frazier boots a grounder for an error. Unfortunately for them Miguel Montero strikes out and Chris Coughlan pops up to the catcher just outside the dirt at home plate and Austin Jackson strikes out to end the inning and it is still 1-0 Reds.
Frazier gets a one out single, but Brayan Pena pops up to Castro and DeSclafani strikes out and the inning is over. The Cubs continue to struggle as Travis Wood’s one out single is wasted and the Reds continue to cling to a one run lead.
The Reds finally crack the scoreboard again when Hamilton gets his second double of the evening, this one off the ivy in right field. Schumaker gets a tasty fastball and he doesn’t miss. The ball rattles around in the still empty right field seats for a two run bomb, and the Cubs lead 3-0. Wood calms things down by retiring the next three batters and the inning is finally over.
The Cubs have yet another opportunity slip away in the bottom of the sixth inning. Miguel Montero rips a booming double into the left field corner with two outs, and Coughlin slips a single to right center, but Bruce’s throw is a bullet and Montero is gunned at the plate and the Cubs are still scoreless after six innings.
Travis Wood remains in the game, as his low pitch count gives Joe Maddon confidence he can still go a little longer. His faith was rewarded as he gets the side on just 8 pitches. Unfortunately DeSclafani is pitching like an ace today and the Cubs go down in order and the score is still 3-0 Cincinnati at the end of 7 innings.
Hamilton slaps a one out opposite field double and has the hat trick for doubles today. Schumaker draws a walk and runners are on first and second. Pitching coach Chris Bosio comes out for a quick chat and things looked good as Bruce popped up to the pitcher for one out, but Joey Votto hits a frozen rope to center to score two runs. The bullpen gets up, but Eugenio Suarez grounds out to end the inning as the Reds suddenly are up 5-0.
Dexter Fowler draws a leadoff walk and is still on first with two outs but Kris Bryant blasts his third homer of the season and the Cubs finally score and the lead is cut to 5-2. Montero draws a walk, but Coughlan grounds out and the inning is over.
Brandon Phillips comes to bat and Wood is still on the mound. That would prove to be a mistake as he gives up a homer to deep left field and the Reds extend the lead again. The next three hitters go down in order, including DeSclafani, so it is apparent he will be allowed to go the distance, and after pinch hitter Kyle Schwarber flies out to right field to end the game he does it.
The Reds get a well-deserved 6-2 victory as DeSclafani gets his first win of the season. Billy Hamilton went 3 for 4 with three doubles and scored three times. Travis Wood takes the loss, his first of the year. They only managed 5 scattered hits and never really had a chance.
Around the horn
After 6 games Andrew McCutchen is hitting .519 with three homers in the early going.
Jose Altuve of the Astros is hitting .459 with a 1.151 slugging percentage.
Ben Revere of the Blue Jays continues to be a pleasant surprise, hitting .302.
