Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/6/24): Reds 8, Cubs 4 – Home Runs not Enough in Loss

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandJune 7, 2024

The Cubs were trying for their first win streak in over a month when they took on the Reds at the Great American Ball Park Thursday night. It was a back-and-forth affair with several lead changes, but Cincinnati was able to pull away in the late innings and take the victory.

Chicago went ahead in the 3rd inning when Seiya Suzuki hit a long two-run homer into the second deck in left field off Hunter Greene. The Reds wasted no time answering back against Javier Assad in the bottom of the frame with a three-run laser from Elly De La Cruz that made it 3-2.

Christopher Morel put the Cubs back on top with another two-run shot against Greene in the 6th. The same pattern from earlier then repeated itself and Cincinnati retook the lead the next half inning. Jonathan India singled home the tying run off Assad and TJ Friedl doubled in the go-ahead run off of Luke Little.

The Reds broke the game wide open against Porter Hodge in the 7th, starting when he walked in a run after a very questionable call on a borderline pitch. Kyle Hendricks relieved him and gave up a two-RBI single to Will Benson to make it an 8-4 game. That would end up being the final, as the Cubs went quietly in the last two frames. (Box score)

Key Moment

Chicago tried to get one more inning out of Assad in the 6th to save the bullpen but it didn’t work. The first two batters reached base and Cincinnati went back ahead.

Why the Cubs Lost

As the offense starts to show some life, the starting pitching has gone into a bit of a slump. The bullpen also sprung a leak with an assist from the home plate umpire.

Stats That Matter

  • Assad is being bitten by some of the free baserunners he has been allowing: 5.2 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 7 K, and 2 BB.
  • Suzuki had a double in addition to the homer and it’s good to see him driving the ball.
  • Morel is finally starting to get rewarded for his very good plate approach this season. It feels like a hot streak is coming for him.

Bottom Line

The Cubs are still stuck in the mud right now and consistency is proving elusive. The second things start to look better, other aspects of the team that were going well begin to fall off. It’s not something a manager getting ejected or screaming at the players is going to fix even if it makes the fans feel better. Individual performers are just going to have to play more like they are capable of playing.

On Deck

The North Siders try to even the series on Friday at 6:10pm CT. It’s a battle of lefties between Justin Steele and Nick Lodolo that airs on MLB Network (out of market only), Marquee, and 670 The Score.

Photo of Sean Holland Sean HollandJune 7, 2024
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