Needing a win to split the series the Cincinnati Reds split an atom and exploded for 20 runs as they took the Chicago Cubs to task in a 20-5 win. On a day with 20 runs you’d imagine several players stood out, and they did. Kyle Farmer went 4-4 with two home runs and drove in five, while Nick Senzel reached base six times for the first time in his career.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs (18-26) | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Reds (14-30) | 20 | 20 | 1 |
| W: Greene (2-6) L: Steele (1-5) |
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| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
After trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the second inning, the Reds put two runs on the board on a Kyle Farmer 2-run homer. The next inning saw them score eight runs as they sent 11 batters to the plate. Matt Reynolds 2-run triple really put the game away, making it a 9-3 ballgame.
Cincinnati wasn’t done, though. After not scoring in the 4th, they would score a run in the 5th on Kyle Farmer’s second home run of the game, two more in both the 6th and 7th innings, and then against shortstop Andrelton Simmons in the 8th inning the Reds would put up five runs as the Cubs essentially conceded the game.
First career multi-homer game for @kFarm17?? pic.twitter.com/eNlG78SRK9
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 26, 2022
The only Reds players who didn’t reach base at least twice were Alejo Lopez, who entered the game in the final inning, and Aristides Aquino who went 1-1 before he was pinch hit for in the 3rd inning.
The Pitching
Things didn’t go well for Hunter Greene early on and he was behind 3-0 after his first two innings pitched and had given up three extra-base hits. In the 3rd inning he was again facing a challenging situation, this time with a runner on and in an absolute downpour he couldn’t keep the baseball dry and went through multiple baseballs in a situations reminiscent of Lucas Sims from last year, but he eventually got a ball that worked and got the out he needed to strand the runner. After the offense went off in their half of the inning, Greene had a 10-3 lead to work with. He held it for the 4th inning, but in the 5th he would give up back-to-back homers to Willson Conteras and Ian Happ before retiring the next three hitters to end the inning and his outing.
The Cubs wouldn’t score again as Jeff Hoffman, Joel Kuhnel, and Jared Solomon held them to just one hit the rest of the way.
Key Moment of the Game
Matt Reynolds 2-run triple in the 3rd inning that put Cincinnati ahead 9-3.
Notes Worth Noting
There was a little more drama between the two teams as Rowan Wick and Joey Votto exchanged words after Wick struck him out to end the 7th inning. Willson Contreras was hit by a Joel Kuhnel pitch and had a long stare down and slow walk to first base, ultimately resulting in David Ross coming onto the field and being ejected.
The Reds scored 20 runs for the first time in a game since 1999. They did it twice that season.
Jeff Hoffman lowered his ERA to 1.52 on the season with a perfect inning of relief.
All six pitchers for the Cubs allowed at least one run, and only one of them didn’t allow more runs than innings covered in the game.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds
Friday May 27th, 6:40pm ET
Carlos Rodon (4-3, 3.43 ERA) vs TBA
I think I recall the Reds beating the Rockies 21-14 in Denver in 1999. The Network sports wags (ESPN?) first put up the Bengals versus the Broncos, then admitted it was a baseball game.
A lot of bad pitching from the Cubs today.
The Reds will struggle to score against the Giants this weekend. Probably.
That TBA guy is pitching all weekend. I hope he’s good.
After 20 runs today, the usual baseball pattern is the Reds score 0 to 2 runs tomorrow against the SFG’s,
That is correct David as my wife were at the game on our 1 year anniversary and our in-laws came from Detroit to celebrate with us and were at the game too, I think Sean Casey accounted for a few of those runs with a deep one to right field close to our seats. That was a wild game!
Glad to see the Reds bounce back and compete last 2 days. Also glad to see some fire and hustle and passion. Senzel played hard. Pham played hard. Farmer always plays hard. Drury is a nice pick up. Aquino had a big hit. Almora had a bad ab early when it mattered but bounced back. Greene is where he needs to be- showing up every 5th day to compete. This is what rookies pitchers need to go thru.
I’ll make a bold prediction. The Reds will be in 3rd July 4th weekend and finish 3rd in the NL central this year. Pirates are terrible. Cubbies stink. They also have a brutal schedule with White Sox, then 4 brewers and 5 St. Louis with 2 DH in 6 days.
We are going to see more injuries and more non-competitive games as this season goes on with a condensed schedule. Reds are closing in on Nats/Tigers/Royals/and only 4.5 out of 3rd in the central.
Drury I like as well.Quietly has had a good 40 game stretch.Guy is a 250 hitter in the big leagues with some pop.Doesn’t hurt you on defense and runs the bases well.Don’t think he is 30 yet so it works for me to see more of him.India and Barrero will return at some time and it will be interesting to see what happens in the infield.
I’m just curious which Red that performed well today doesn’t start the next game: Senzel is my guess though Farmer and Almora are slim possibilities. That Naquin substitution really paid off. At least, he walked.
IBB, so not sure if that actually counts 🙂
Let’s hope Farmer’s nod to Cortisone pays benefits and he doesn’t have to sit.
Reds face 3 straight lefties so I think thats why Naquin came in for Aquino. Rodon pitches tomorrow and Alex Wood on Saturday.
Senzel will be leading off in CF. Aquino will be in RF. Pham will be in LF.
The question will be how does bell balance the DH? Against a lefty, your best lineup would be Drury 3b, Farmer SS and Reynolds 2b.
Moose Votto and Naquin arent good against lefties. Votto will play.
Off day Monday and day-game after night game Sunday. Bell Has it scripted for sure.
Yep, so at some point, the youngest (non-pitcher) guy on the field, will sit.
You can bet he has it scripted.
I’d start the same lineup Friday as they did today. No reason to switch anything.
I just saw Rodon pitch last Saturday vs the Padres. Dude can bring it. Tough lefty.
I dont think Ive ever predicted one of Bell’s lineups correct.
First time for everything.
Senzel CF
Drury 2b
Pham LF
Votto 1b
Stephenson C
Farmer SS
Aquino RF
Moose 3b( $16 million reasons why+ veteraniness)
Reynolds DH
Fun game to be at today. Even during the break, the beer was cold. Saw a week’s worth of runs and didn’t mind the long faces of the Cubbie fans. Hard to find a dark lining to the silver cloud today, but that’s just me…
I guess enjoy em while we can right? 🙂
I’ll admit I was skeptical at the start given Greene’s performance early on. He didn’t look sharp. But he held enough ground that the offense came alive and carried out this mass slaughter. Quite the sight to behold.
Onward to the weekend games. SF won’t go quietly.
SF never goes easily against Cincy; two tough Supper Bowl losses against the 49ers and the 2012 Giants playoff loss that still hurts.
The Giants would have a very difficult time getting my dog’s supper bowl away from her.
i was talking to my son the other day. neither of us could remember a time off hand when a position came in to pitch at riverfront stadium. then i remembered Davey Concepcion pitching once but that was more a publicity stunt. now it seems to happen all the time. which seems strange because of all the injury prevention measures that takes place in mlb i am surprised position players are even allowed to pitch
Not quite sure I’d call what Simmons did “pitching”. He worked an inning and limited further damage to the score and the bullpen for the Stupid Cubs. And he was working fast.
Working fast was great. Loved it.
I also remember Rocky Colavito pitching a little for the Indians, but that was a novelty, as I recall. A change from decades ago is that starters aren’t averaging 6 innings a game and, maybe, relief pitchers have more specific roles. Somebody’s got to pitch, and if the pen has been used up, who’s left?
Great win! Do we see Ashcraft tomorrow or bullpen day? If Ashcraft, roster move necessary. Detwiler also should be coming off the bereavement list soon.
Wilson to the 60 day IL and bring up Ashcraft. Gutierrez makes last start on Saturday and will be replaced by Minor the next time around the rotation. Or because Louisville rained out, give Minor an extra day of rest and bring him up to start Saturday. Move forward with Castillo, Mahle, Greene, Ashcraft and Minor
I hope this is the turning point for Senzel, and he becomes all that we had hoped.
I do also.I have been a fan of him and Aquino and just hope both stay healthy and get 400 or more at bats from here on out.Both have a lot of tools to work with.
Senzel is what us fans used to call, many years ago, a potential sparkplug for the Reds.
True enough, but Manager Bell has a tendency to change some of his spark plugs after every ride. That is too much.
Rare when a guy gets on base 6 times in a game as Senzel did today.
Bell….please use common sense…Hoffman is pitching well. Look at his ERA. He is your closer!
Diaz ERA is lower than Hoffman’s and Diaz is pitching well.
Assigning a “closer” is overrated. The best relievers should pitch in the highest leverage situations against the other team’s most talented hitters, whether that’s the 7th, 8th or 9th inning. That seems to be Bell’s approach to bullpen usage and I have no problem with it.
Tell that to Josh Hader of the Brewers, or Williams who pitches the 8th. I disagree as to me having a bullpen set is what makes the game interesting. Take Brewers as a example. If they have the lead with Hader coming in the game is 99% of the time over.
+1000, Reddawg2012.
Wouldn’t you want Hader to pitch when the game is close and the other team’s best hitters are up?
Nice to see a win but this team is still on pace for 110 losses. It is time for Barrero and Ashcraft to get their shots.
Today’s game took a big bite out the run differential
Solomon seems to have some potential as a closer
I like his funkiness. Seems to be able to command his pitches.
What the heck happened today! Did the Reds mix an extra point? Was on the road all day travelling from Central Florida to Northern KY. Just saw the final score and was more than shocked! Wish we could bank some of those runs for games when the Reds offense struggles to score more than one (1) run!
Dennis – language.
Sorry Doug! Jet lag!
Some batting averages took big steps forward today.
@ redawg couldn’t agree more.
Those games are fun, but I agree that it would have been nice to bank some of those runs for a close game or three. But if yesterday gives Senzel a boost and he’s found his timing, and helps Stephenson shake off his recent struggles then maybe there is some carry forward. The Reds are going to need Senzel, Stephenson, Pham, Drury, Aquino and Reynolds against a barrage of lefties coming up. I like the bounce back and momentum of the last two games. I’d love to see a series win against the Giants. Go Reds!
any idea on who is pitching today?
My predicted Bell lineup.
Senzel CF
Drury 3B
Pham DH
Votto 1B
Stephenson C
Aquino RF
Farmer SS
Reynolds 2B
Almora LF
Ashcraft P
Go Reds
Nah, why make any changes to the lineup that put up 20 yesterday. Run it back again Bell!
mlb rumors have the reds bringing up Ashcraft to pitch today, Moran and Solomon sent down. you were correct on your prediction Steve O
Lineups are out. JV day off with Moose at 1B. Minor was not the expected starter on the Louisville website earlier, but now he is. I guess they’re sticking with giving him a last rehab start and he’ll probably replace Gutierrez in the rotation next time around.
good info. i can’t get info on the reds-being out here in dodger land. I’d like to see what Minor has. we paid him a lot,
Agree westlarry. I’m thinking better than what Gutierrez has shown so far this year
14 pitcher limit extended to 6/19. Will the Reds take advantage of this? The Reds could add Minor as the 14th pitcher, move Gutierrez to the bullpen and option Lopez sometime next week. Roster currently 13-13. My preference would be to send Gutierrez to Louisville to work on his stuff and to have Minor and Barrero added at the same time with Gutierrez and Lopez optioned and keep it at 13-13.
Correction, Minor transaction should happen for the road trip to Boston with Gutierrez sent down to keep Minor on regular rest and pitch the second game in Boston. Ashcraft gets an extra day of rest and opens the series against the Nationals. Barrero replaces Lopez for the 8 game home stand against the Nationals and Diamondbacks.