CINCINNATI -- The Reds were closing in on having a signature series win over the first-place Cubs. But Cincinnati's bullpen proved to be no match for a relentless offense that leads the Majors in runs scored.
In the end, the Reds had to absorb another painful late-game defeat, 11-8, that gave the Cubs two of three games at Great American Ball Park. It was a tough pill to swallow knowing the offense -- which has often had trouble scoring this season -- plated 20 runs in the three games and still came up short for the series.
"We’ve got to find a way, as a whole, to win those close, late games and come out on the other side of some of those late-inning comebacks, those dogfight games where you’re going back and forth," said left fielder Austin Hays, who was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Cincinnati had an 8-3 lead after six innings before the Cubs stormed back for eight runs over the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Reliever Graham Ashcraft had a four-run lead and two outs in the seventh when he allowed three runs -- including Nico Hoerner's two-run double -- to make it a one-run game.
"[Ashcraft] gave up one ringing double but the other three … he made some really good pitches," manager Terry Francona said.
In the eighth inning, lefty reliever Taylor Rogers was unable to retire any of his three batters. Freshly called up from the Minors, Reese McGuire led off with the second of his two home runs in the game.
With two men on and rookie right-hander Luis Mey in for Rogers, Seiya Suzuki delivered the knockout blow -- a three-run homer to left field. Mey threw Suzuki a slider in a 3-1 count.
"He just took advantage of the count and he swung there. It was in the spot I wanted but he was ready for it," Mey said.
It was the fifth time this season the Reds lost when leading after six innings, third-most in MLB.
The scene was reminiscent of just two days ago. In Friday's 13-6 loss, the Reds carried a 6-2 lead into the seventh inning before the Cubs scored 11 runs over the final three innings -- including a six-run seventh to take the lead.
"Some lineups make you pay for mistakes more than others," Francona said of the Cubs. "This is a good lineup and they feel really good about themselves right now.”
On Saturday, Cincinnati’s 6-4 win, the bullpen bent but didn't break as the Cubs scored once in each of the final three innings.
A common thread for all three games: Reds starters weren't around for the later innings. Nick Lodolo threw 91 pitches over only five innings while allowing three earned runs and six hits.
The Reds have received just one start of at least seven innings since April 28 -- a span of 26 games -- when Nick Martinez did it on May 15 vs. the White Sox. During that span, the rotation has posted 12 starts of five innings or fewer. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati bullpen ranks third in MLB since April 28 with 101 2/3 innings pitched.
“We’re pretty careful about who's available and why and we try to always work backwards," Francona said. "We just gave up runs. The whole series was kind of similar late in the game.”
On Friday, Cubs hitters made Reds ace Hunter Greene throw 37 pitches in the fourth inning to knock him out of the game an inning earlier than the club hoped. Andrew Abbott threw 83 pitches over 5 1/3 innings on Saturday. Lodolo threw 25 pitches in a two-run top of the first inning and 21 pitches in a scoreless top of the third.
“They put up good at-bats, one through nine," Lodolo said. "Every guy, they’ve got an idea of what they’re trying to do at the dish.
Tied for third in the National League Central race, the Reds are 26-27 and 6 1/2 games behind the Cubs. They won't have to wait long for a rematch. On the backend of the upcoming six-game road trip that begins Monday in Kansas City is three games at Wrigley Field next weekend.
"No question, we got punched in the mouth at the end of games. Starters too," Lodolo said. "We definitely want to pitch deeper in the ballgame and shorten it for them.”