Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Cincinnati.
10:48 JST, June 10, 2024
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ian Happ drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double in the first inning and Shota Imanaga got off to another strong start as the Chicago Cubs ended the Cincinnati Reds’ seven-game winning streak Sunday with a 4-2 victory .
“We pitched really well today,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Really good at bats in the first inning. And we have a big hit. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any big hits for most of the day.”
The two teams headed in opposite directions. The Reds have won 12 of 16, while the Cubs have lost 12 of 16.
The Reds, who won the first three games in the series, haven’t swept the Cubs in a four-game series since 2018.
Imanaga (6-1) has allowed 12 runs (eight earned) in his past two starts. On Sunday, he allowed two earned runs in 6 2/3 with a walk and seven strikeouts.
“The best pitchers in the game give up hits,” Counsell said. “He fooled us into thinking this would never happen.”
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Cincinnati.
Seiya Suzuki returned to the Cubs lineup and went 3 for 5 with a double and a run scored. He missed Saturday’s game after being hit in the back by a throw on Friday.
June 9, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs design hitter Seiya Suzuki (27) reacts after hitting a double in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Reds starter Frankie Montas (3-5) had his best outing of the season, allowing one hit in seven innings in Colorado on Tuesday. But the Cubs hit him hard on Sunday.
Happ snapped an 0-for-11 skid with a bases-loaded double that drove in three runs.
“Being up three in the first inning takes the pressure off a little bit,” Happ said. “We had a lot of chances today. Four scored, could have been a lot more. Just keep building on that.”
Montas needed 39 pitches to get through the first inning.
The Cubs added a fourth run in the second on Michael Tauchman’s RBI single. Montas retired after allowing four earned runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.
“It was one of those things where you’re out of sync with your body,” Montas said. ‘The mechanics are messing with you. I couldn’t throw the fastball up when I wanted to. My arm is healthy. I’ll find out why on my next bullpen. I just turn the page.”
Reds catcher Luke Maile launched his second home run of the season on Imanaga’s first pitch of the third to make it 4-1.
“I performed better at what I do best, fastball and the changeup downfield,” Imanaga said through a translator. “If we win or lose, my job is still the same. Just go out there and pitch.
Carson Spiers, recalled from Triple-A prior to the game, pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Montas to keep the score close.
The Cubs left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth. But Héctor Neris retired the Reds in succession in the second half for his ninth save of the season.
