Eighth-inning surge carries Reds past Cubs

[July 01, 2019]    Rookie Nick Senzel capped a four-run eighth inning with a two-run bases-loaded single as the Cincinnati Reds beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 8-6 on Sunday afternoon.

Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Eugenio Suarez hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the Reds, who held on after giving up three runs in the ninth.

Senzel, robbed of a potential two-run homer by right fielder Jason Heyward in the seventh, extended Cincinnati's lead to 8-3 in the eighth with a base hit down the left field line off Kyle Ryan.

The Reds sent nine men to the plate, including pitcher Raisel Iglesias, who got a rare at-bat after working out of a jam in the top of the inning.

Phillip Ervin started the scoring in the eighth with his second RBI single of the game. He scored on Kyle Farmer's pinch-hit single.

Iglesias entered the game with a runner on first, getting two quick strikeouts before issuing a walk and throwing a wild pitch that put runners at second and third. He ended the inning by retiring Albert Almora. In the ninth, Iglesias allowed a three-run homer to Heyward with two outs and two strikes before finishing off his 14th save in 16 chances. He earned his 27th career save of more than one inning.

Cincinnati reliever Michael Lorenzen allowed an RBI single to Almora and a two-run homer to Kyle Schwarber in the seventh as the Cubs got within 4-3.

Suarez hit his 17th homer three batters into the game when he drove a full-count fastball from Jon Lester (7-6) onto the riverboat beyond the center field fence. The 457-foot blast was the longest by a Reds player this season.

Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (5-4) won for the third time in four starts, allowing five hits in six scoreless innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Lester took a rare loss against the Reds, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Lester struck out eight, walked two and threw 32 of his season-high 117 pitches in the first inning. He fell to 7-2 lifetime against Cincinnati.

The Cubs lost for the 12th time in their past 20 games and fell to 4-12 in their past 16 road games. Chicago finished June at 14-15 for its first losing month since May 2017.

--Field Level Media

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