Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/16/21): Reds 14, Cubs 5- Another Game, Another Blowout

After their 12th loss in a row, it would be easy to say the Cubs are actively trying to do as poorly as possible for a better draft slot. However, even in the wake of a 14-5 drubbing at the hands of the Reds at Great American Ball Park, I just can’t say that because these guys are doing what they can and fighting till the end.

If you’re looking for silver linings, Justin Steele was actually not too shabby in his second start for the Cubs. He only made one big mistake that turned into a Jonathan India two-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. Honestly, Steele was the best Cubs pitcher of the night, which is ironic because he’s the guy that gets saddled with the loss. Steele finished four innings and kept his club in the game, but the wheels fell off once he departed.

The Reds then poured it on with an Aristides Aquino bomb in the 5th, a seemingly never-ending bottom of the 7th that resulted in eight more runs, and then two more in the 8th against the relief corps. Oh, and in the midst of that ugly 7th inning, Joey Votto lined one into center for his 2,000th hit, so that’s sorta cool even if he isn’t a Cub. I guess.

As mentioned, there was some fight from the Cubs hitters in this one and they answered the Reds 7th with a five-spot of their own in the 8th. Highlights from that inning included singles from Rafael Ortega, Matt Duffy, Frank Schwindel, and Robinson Chirinos and back-to-back RBI doubles from Jason Heyward and Ian Happ. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Steele kept them in the game early on, but the bullpen was terrible against the Reds’ offensive onslaught in the later innings.

Key Moment

It had nothing to do with the game itself, but the announcement that the Cubs would play the Reds in the MLB Field of Dreams Game in 2022 may mean something bigger. Here’s hoping the lineup and roster look a little better by that time.

Stats That Matter

• Votto has 2,001 career hits and a lifetime .303/.417/.520 slash line. Is that enough to get the Canadian to Cooperstown?
• Duffy and Schwindel both went 2-for-5 with runs on the night.
• Ortega came off the bench and got himself a hit, starting a new streak after an 0-fer in Miami on Sunday.

Bottom Line

Yet another hard-fought blowout loss, if that sort of thing is even possible. It’s gonna be a long September for Cub fans, but hey, they might be able to keep improving that number eight 2022 MLB Draft slot!

On Deck

Kyle Hendricks takes the ball for the Cubs Tuesday to face Vladimir Gutierrez for the Reds. Game time is 6:10pm CT and can be seen on Marquee with the radio broadcast on 670 The Score.