The Chicago Cubs were unable to come back after the Cincinatti Reds broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning, losing the rubber match of the three game series. The final result was Reds four, Cubs three in a game characterized by numerous missed chances on both sides. The Reds left 13 men on base to the Cubs 12, but ultimately the Reds were able to capitalize where the Cubs were not.
A leadoff walk in the sixth was the beginning of the trouble for the Cubs, who compounded things with two straight errors by Geovany Soto on two straight sacrifice bunts. That left the bases loaded with no outs. Drew Stubbs was up next, grounding into a fielder's choice, and the Reds were able to score a run while the Cubs failed to turn two. The Cubs brought in Scott Maine to pitch, and he picked up the first out, striking out Joey Votto. He was not so successful with the next two batters, hitting Ryan Ludwick with a pitch, loading the bases again, and walking Jay Bruce to send in a run. Maine then struck out Scott Rolen to end the inning, and the Cubs entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-2.
The Cubs failed to pick up another hit until the bottom of the ninth, where they faced fomer Cub Sean Marshall. Starlin Castro led the inning off with a triple to right-center. Steve Clevenger struck out looking, and pinch hitter Jeff Baker managed to score Castro when he grounded out to shortstop. With two outs, Ian Stewart was unable to keep the Cubs alive and he struck out looking.
The Cubs dropped two of three to the Reds and stand at -12, remaining in the basement of the NL Central standings. They'll have their work cut out for them going forward, as tomorrow begins a three game series with the division leading St. Louis Cardinals.
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