Reds Lose Extra-Inning Heartbreaker After Closer's Injury

Key facts

• Cincinnati Reds lost to the Chicago Cubs on May 7.
• Closer Emilio Pagán exited the game with a left hamstring injury.
• Rookie Jose Franco replaced Pagán and allowed a walk.
• The Reds have lost three consecutive one-run games.
• Andrew Abbott's ERA has decreased significantly in his last two starts.
• The Reds lost 3-2 in extra innings.
• JJ Bleday hit a solo home run for the Reds in the first inning.

Painful Defeat in Extra Innings

The Cincinnati Reds suffered a gut-wrenching 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, marking their third consecutive defeat by a single run. This latest setback erases their perfect record in games requiring overtime, dropping them to 3-1 in such contests this season. The game took a dramatic turn in the ninth inning when closer Emilio Pagán, who had shouldered blame for a previous blown save, fell to the grass in visible pain after just one pitch. Clutching his left hamstring, Pagán was forced to exit the game, leaving his team in a precarious situation. Rookie Jose Franco entered the game in relief with the score tied 2-2 and a 1-0 count on Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. Franco struggled, issuing a walk to Hoerner on four pitches, which ultimately led to Pagán being charged with the go-ahead run.

Abbott's Strong Start Fades

Reds starter Andrew Abbott delivered a promising performance, significantly lowering his earned run average over his last two outings. Through six innings on Tuesday, Abbott had allowed only a handful of baserunners and carried a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning. His outing unraveled in the sixth when a two-out walk, followed by a single and another walk, loaded the bases. While Abbott managed to escape further damage in that inning, his departure marked a turning point in the game. Connor Phillips then took the mound and successfully retired Moises Ballesteros on a comebacker, preserving the scoreless inning and the Reds' lead.

Offensive Spark and Late Collapse

Cincinnati's offense had provided an early advantage. JJ Bleday ignited the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, his second in as many days and fourth since his major league debut on April 26. Nathaniel Lowe extended the lead with another solo blast in the sixth. However, the Cubs mounted a comeback. A single by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the eighth inning proved crucial. Crow-Armstrong stole second and then scored on a subsequent single, narrowing the deficit. The game was ultimately tied in the eighth inning when Patrick Wisdom hit a solo home run off Tony Santillan with one out, setting the stage for the dramatic ninth and extra frames.

Season Performance Trends

The loss drops the Reds to 12-3 in games decided by two or fewer runs, highlighting their tendency to play in close contests. Abbott's recent pitching improvements are a positive sign for the team, as his ERA has dropped by nearly a point and a half from a season-high 6.59 through six starts. Pagán's injury adds to the team's bullpen concerns, particularly after he had been tasked with closing out games. The effectiveness of Franco as a replacement will be closely watched. The Reds' inability to hold leads in recent games, coupled with key injuries, presents a significant challenge as they navigate the early part of the season.

Looking Ahead for the Reds

The immediate concern for the Reds will be the severity of Emilio Pagán's hamstring injury and the subsequent impact on their bullpen. The team will need to find reliable arms to close out games, especially given their consistent record in one-run contests. Andrew Abbott's continued development on the mound offers a glimmer of hope, but the offense will need to provide more consistent run support to capitalize on his strong outings. As the season progresses, the Reds' ability to avoid close losses and maintain bullpen stability will be critical factors in their overall success.

The bottom line

• The Cincinnati Reds lost a close game to the Chicago Cubs, their third consecutive one-run defeat.
• Closer Emilio Pagán sustained a left hamstring injury during the ninth inning.
• Rookie Jose Franco struggled in relief after Pagán's exit.
• The Reds' offense scored early via solo home runs from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe.
• Starter Andrew Abbott showed improvement but the bullpen could not hold the lead.
• The Reds are now 12-3 in games decided by two or fewer runs.