Chicago Cubs Outshine Cincinnati Reds in Fast-Paced Affair

In a swift showdown at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs capitalised on Jameson Taillon’s exceptional pitching to triumph 1-0 over the Cincinnati Reds in their season-ending series opener on Friday. Taillon, donning a 12-8 record, showcased his prowess by allowing a mere four hits, striking out two and walking two over seven innings. Despite an overcast day with blustery winds, Taillon’s performance was rock-solid, making it his second straight victory.

Jameson Taillon’s Stellar Performance

The right-handed pitcher, in his second year with the Cubs, demonstrated a remarkable 1.63 ERA with a 4-0 record in his last six starts. Taillon’s resilience following a rough patch earlier in August echoed in his post-game reflection. “To bounce back and finish strong is a rewarding feeling,” he said.

The Fastest Nine-Inning Game

Tyson Miller and Porter Hodge split the final two innings, with Hodge securing his eighth save. The game clocked in at 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it the fastest nine-inning MLB game since Armando Galarraga’s near-perfect game for Detroit against Cleveland on June 2, 2010. The Elias Sports Bureau confirmed that it was the quickest nine-inning game for the Cubs since their 3-0 victory over the Reds in 1 hour, 48 minutes on May 24, 2001.

Chicago Cubs: A Winning Season

With this win, the Cubs (82-78) secured a winning season, despite having faced a series of injuries and inconsistent line-up performance. Although the season began with playoff ambitions under new manager Craig Counsell, the team managed to hold their own against the Reds, leading the series 4-7.

Cincinnati’s Performance

Despite another commendable performance by Nick Martinez (10-7), the Reds (76-84) couldn’t capitalize on his first career complete game. Martinez, with a 0.83 ERA in five September starts, admitted to struggling with his changeup during the game. The Reds’ offensive struggles continued, with no runner managing to get past second base.

Cubs’ Lone Run

The Cubs’ winning run came in the fifth inning, thanks to Nico Hoerner’s leadoff double, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s sacrifice bunt, and Miguel Amaya’s sacrifice fly. Despite a close call at the plate, Hoerner managed to slide in safely, earning applause from third base coach Willie Harris.

Looking Ahead

Rhett Lowder (2-2, 1.40 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (4-12, 6.28 ERA) will be on the mound for the next game. Hendricks, eligible for free agency after this season, may be making his last start for the Cubs. In contrast, Lowder is coming off a scoreless five innings from Cincinnati’s recent 7-1 victory over Pittsburgh.