Cincinnati Reds edge past the Chicago Cubs with 3-1 win – MLB Update
Cincinnati Reds' Ryan Hanigan hit a three-run double in the sixth inning on Tuesday, September 18, to help the team beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 at Wrigley Field. The Reds put a wonderful defence and offence combination to overcome the Cubs, making a solid start to the last road trip of the season.
Hanigan’s three-run double came at a crucial time just when Justin Germano was pitching well. But Germano could not quite hold the lead initially attained, giving up the three-run double.
"I had bases loaded, let it come to you in that situation. Just trying to put the ball in the outfield and fortunately it got over their heads," Hanigan said. "It worked out."
For Germano, it was quite unsettling. "I don't think I've ever walked the bases loaded before in my professional career, so that was a first and pretty much the worst time to ever do that," Germano said.
Homer Bailey pitched 7.1 strong innings, allowing only four hits and a run with four strike-outs to render the Chicago Cubs' batters unable to score. The Cubs struggled throughout the game as they could not get their offence to spark.
For Cincinnati Reds' team manager Dusty Baker, there was more than one reason to celebrate on Tuesday. He was managing the 3,000th game of his career and the club won the game with solid offence.
"We had just enough offense to win," Baker said. "That was a big double by Hanigan. Just a big victory for us, back to 30 over and one step closer."
Reds brought in Jonathan Broxton to close the game after Bryan LaHair scored a run in the eighth, bringing the lead down to 3-1. Broxton, who has come to replace the out-of-form closer Aroldis Chapman, had his third save in his last five games by pitching a scoreless ninth.
The second game will be played on Wednesday and the Cubs will try to stage a comeback in the three-game series. With the first win, the Reds are all set to make it in to the playoffs.
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