The Chicago Cubs (9-16) could not maintain their precarious 3-0 lead in the ninth inning as CL Carlos Marmol could not record an out as the Cincinnati Reds (12-12) orchestrated a devastating 4-3 comeback win.
SP Ryan Dempster pitched the first 8.0 innings, striking out 6 Reds hitters while allowing only 1 walk, 2 singles and 1 double. Marmol, on the other hand, faced 5 batters and walked 3 of them.
It looked like Marmol might escape trouble after walking 3B Willie Harris and 1B Joey Votto to start the inning, but 3B Ian Stewart misplayed a potential double-play ball, allowing one run to score. With runners at first and second, RF Jay Bruce singled to load to bases, and then Marmol walked in a run as LF Ryan Ludwick coaxed a five-pitch walk.
RP Rafael Dolis (BS, 1)( L, 1-2) got tagged with the blown save and loss, but the bullpen fireman actually coaxed three outs out of the next two batters and allowed only a single in his 4-out outing. His throwing error in the bottom of the 10th inning, however, led to the game-winning sacrifice fly from PH Scott Rolen to give the Reds the 4-3 comeback win.
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