KSReds: Cincinnati Reds Explode For 20 Runs, Split Series

Things were looking bleak to begin the week for the Cincinnati Reds. However, wins on Wednesday and Thursday salvaged a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs and earned the Redlegs a split. The 20 runs scored in Thursday’s blowout win were the most Cincinnati had scored in a game since 1999.

The Reds will remain at Great American Ball Park for a weekend series with the San Francisco Giants. Friday night’s starter is unconfirmed yet for the 6:40 p.m. EST first pitch. San Francisco is currently 24-19 sitting five games behind first place in the National League West. While Cincinnati is closing ground, they still have the worst record in Major League Baseball at 14-30.

Ian Happ Dominates the Reds Once Again

Over the years, Ian Happ has been a Cincinnati Reds killer. On Monday, the former University of Cincinnati Bearcat got the Chicago Cubs on the board first with a RBI double off the wall in left field in the fourth inning. Then, he blasted a three-run home run in the seventh to secure the series-opening victory. Happ finished the game 2-3 with four runs batted in and two runs scored.

After falling behind in the fourth, the Reds mounted a comeback in the sixth. Tommy Pham went deep to cut the deficit to 4-1. Three batters later, Aristides Aquino sent one 429 feet to centerfield for a two-run shot that pulled Cincinnati within one run. However, that is as close as they would get. Happ answered immediately in the top half of the seventh to extend the Cubs’ advantage to 7-3.

Another Aquino long ball in the eighth inning, this one traveling 439 feet, set the eventual final score of 7-4. On the mound, Vladimir Gutierrez was saddled with the loss. He struggled through four innings allowing four runs on four hits. He is now 0-6 on the season with an 8.70 earned run average.

Cubs Offense Explodes for 11 Runs in Blowout Victory

After one of his best outings on the mound last week, Tyler Mahle was less than stellar on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park. The 28-year-old right-hander was tagged for eight runs on nine hits in just four innings of work. Mahle, who earned the Cincinnati Reds opening day starter nod this season, is now 2-5 with a 6.32 ERA. That simply isn’t good enough.

The Cubs got on the board right away with three runs in the top of the first inning. However, Cincinnati answered with two in the bottom half to get right back in the ballgame. It didn’t take long though for the Cubbies to pull away once again, though. After a two-run triple in the third, the Cubs blew it open with a five-run fifth that made it 10-2.

Chicago would go on to win 11-4 to take game two of the series. The loss moved the Reds’ Major League Baseball worst record to 12-30.

Joey Votto Drives in Three Runs, Reds Win

The Cincinnati Reds took Wednesday night’s game 4-3 over the Cubs thanks in large part to Joseph Daniel Votto. After Ian Happ once again struck first with a two-run double in the first inning, Votto answered in the second. The veteran first baseman launched one over the right-field wall to make it 2-1. Then, in the third, he tripled to drive in two runs moving the advantage to 4-2 Reds.

Things got a little interesting in the ninth inning as the Chicago Cubs cut it to one run and had the tying run at third base. However, Hunter Strickland was able to shut the door to earn his first save of the season. Luis Castillo also got his first win of the year after allowing two runs on four hits in five innings. He struck out six Cubs batters.

20 Runs on 20 Hits to Split the Series

A few runs were scored today… #ATOBTTR!

FINAL: Reds 20, Cubs 5!

Celebrate at your neighborhood @Skyline_Chili! pic.twitter.com/SwFGuXdQwV

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 26, 2022

It was fun to be a Cincinnati Reds fan on Thursday afternoon. Fighting through a rainy day at Great American Ball Park, the Reds’ offense exploded for 20 runs on 20 hits to run away with a blowout victory to split the series against Chicago. However, it wasn’t always easy. Chicago actually jumped out to a 3-0 lead scoring in both of their first two trips to the plate. That is when the winds turned in Cincinnati’s favor.

The Reds got two back in the second inning with a line-drive home run over the centerfield fence off the bat of Kyle Farmer. In the third inning though is when things really blew up. Cincy batted all the way around the order scoring eight runs to go on top 10-3. It was a hit parade in the inning with no home runs and a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Farmer.

Farmer added a second home run in the bottom of the fifth before a 59-minute rain delay hit. The Reds continued to add to their lead in the sixth, seventh, and eighth eventually winning by the score of 20-5. On the mound, Hunter Greene wasn’t great allowing five runs on seven hits in his five innings of work. However, he struck out six batters and earned his second career victory thanks to the outstanding run support.