Cardiac Cubs! Chicago Rallies for 11-8 Win Over Reds in Rubber Match

Both starters settled in for the third and fourth innings, and Reds starter Nick Lodolo received a ton of help in the fifth inning. The Reds once again posted a crooked number with a second four-run inning to take an 8-3 lead, seemingly putting the Cubs away. 

That said, these Cubs never quit. Not the 2025 Cubs, at least. The Cubs earned one back in the top of the sixth inning, with two walks placing runners in scoring position. From there, a wild pitch eventually scored Nico Hoerner, and the Reds lead shrunk to 8-4. 

Again, the Cubs weren't finished. In the seventh, Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong posted back-to-back singles with two outs. Then, Hoerner struck a ball in the gap and off the wall for his 14th double, scoring both runners and cutting the deficit to 8-6. 

In the next at-bat, Michael Busch's single scored Hoerner to make it a one-run game. But Matt Shaw struck out looking to end the inning. 

In the eighth, the Cubs exploded. Following a shut-down inning from Drew Pomeranz, Reese McGuire connected on his second home run of the game to tie the game at eight. 

The power surge continued. An Ian Happ walk and Tucker single set up Seiya Suzuki for his 14th home run of the season, a three-run shot to give the Cubs their first lead since the top of the first, 11-8. 

It wasn't easy for the Cubs. The Reds recorded 11 hits compared to the Cubs' 13, and constantly had threats on the bases. That said, Daniel Palencia allowed a single to Elly De La Cruz in the ninth, but shut down the rest of the men he faced to cap off the 11-8 win. 

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs will return home for a three-game set at Wrigley Field against the Colorado Rockies. Monday's series opener is a 1:20 p.m. CT first pitch on Memorial Day, with Jameson Taillon on the bump for the Cubs. Cade Horton and Matthew Boyd will throw on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.