Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/31/24): Cubs 13, Reds 4 – Double Display Prevents Sweep
The Cubs avoided a sweep by bashing the Reds for double-digit runs on Wednesday night. Chicago scored six in the first three innings and never let up in a game that was only briefly competitive.
The North Siders struck first against Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo in the 2nd inning when Nico Hoerner doubled in a run and catcher Christian Bethancourt singled him home. A pair of two-run doubles from Seiya Suzuki and Patrick Wisdom put the road team ahead 6-0 the following frame.
Kyle Hendricks rolled through the first four innings before hitting a rough patch in the bottom of the 5th. Jake Fraley whacked a three-run homer to right field, cutting the Reds’ deficit to 6-3. The Cubs got those runs right back in the 6th when Ian Happ hit an absolute bomb to center and Suzuki added an RBI double.
Cincy is Ian’s Happ(y) place. 😏 pic.twitter.com/Lru7KJ2Cz2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 1, 2024
Chicago continued the barrage of two-base hits when Pete Crow-Armstrong brought home a pair in the 7th. Cody Bellinger tacked on a two-run single to put his squad on top by a whopping 13-3 score in the 8th. It eventually settled at 13-4. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cubs responding the next inning to the Fraley home run immediately squelched any possibility for a comeback.
Why the Cubs Won
The offense went off in a big way with nine doubles Wednesday night and they had plenty of runs in this one.
Stats That Matter
- Hendricks was very good early but he really lost steam in his final inning and It was a bit of a battle to finish the 5th: 5 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 4 K, and 2 BB.
- Isaac Paredes had his first two hits as a Cub, both doubles.
- PCA is really starting to look better with the bat and he had two more hits in this one.
Bottom Line
Every once in a while, the Cubs show the offensive ability they displayed when they were playing well in 2023. It’s been far too rare in 2024, though maybe the return of Bellinger and the addition of Paredes can make these outbursts a little more common. I don’t know if I would hold my breath on that, but at least this game proves it’s still in there somewhere.
On Deck
The Cubs return home for a four-game set with the Cardinals starting Thursday at 7:05pm CT. Shōta Imanaga takes the mound against Sonny Gray with a broadcast available on MLB Network (out of market only), Marquee, and 670 The Score.