Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/14/22): Reds 8, Cubs 5 – Reds Win Bullpen Battle

The Cubs were hoping to complete a sweep of the Reds on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, Chicago went against the recent trend and had a bad starting pitching performance doom them to defeat.

Patrick Wisdom gave the Cubs a lead with a two-run home run off Boston College legend Justin Dunn in the top of the 2nd inning. Keegan Thompson did not have good stuff on Sunday and he paid for it in the bottom of the frame. The Reds would score four runs to knock Thompson out of the game, with the big blow coming on an Aristides Aquino three-run shot.

Chicago moved back ahead with a pair of home runs in the top of 4th. Yan Gomes absolutely destroyed a long two-run bomb to tie it and then Christopher Morel followed with a solo dinger. That gave the road team a 5-4 advantage.

Anderson Espinoza allowed the tying run to score in the 4th inning and then exited the game with two on and two out in the 5th. Michael Rucker came in and promptly conceded a single and a two-run double to former Cub Austin Romine.

Chicago threatened a couple of times in the late innings but they could not score and lost 8-5. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The Cubs bullpen had a rare bad day after a lot of recent success in the second half. Thompson’s short start did not help.

Eye on the Future

• Just not a good game for Thompson, with fatigue looking like it could be a factor down the stretch as his innings total increases: 1.2 IP, 4 R, 2 H, 2 K, and 3 BB.
• Morel drew a walk as well as the homer.
• Nico Hoerner had three hits including two doubles on Sunday.

Stats That Matter

• Wisdom had a single in addition to his home run.
• Gomes had a very rare walk as well as his tape-measure blast.

Bottom Line

It’s very possible Keegan Thompson gets shut down in September, but we’ll have to wait and see. He is quickly approaching the most innings he has ever thrown in his professional career (129.2). He has had a great season and there’s likely no need to press any more than necessary.

On Deck

The Cubs head to the Nation’s capital for a four-game set with the Nationals starting Monday at 6:05pm CT. Marcus Stroman takes on Josiah Gray in a contest airing on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.