Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/6/26): Cubs 7, Reds 6 F/10 – Third Consecutive Walk Off Wins Series
The Cubs bullpen issues seemingly caught up to them Wednesday night when they blew a 9th inning lead to the Reds. That turned out not to be the case, however, as the home team rallied again to tie the game and eventually walk it off for a third consecutive night.
Cincinnati scored a run on Colin Rea in the top of the 1st inning with an RBI ground out by Elly De La Cruz. Chicago answered in the bottom of the frame when Ian Happ hit a two-run homer off Brady Singer to make it 2-1.
The North Siders added two more in the 4th inning with an RBI double by Seiya Suzuki, who then scored on a double play by Carson Kelly. Cincy got one back when Matt McLain hit a solo home run in the top of the 5th and the margin was 4-2.
Nothing changed until the top of the 9th when Corbin Martin had major issues trying to close the game for the Cubs, beginning with a home run by Spencer Steer. Martin then gave up consecutive singles and was replaced by Hoby Milner, who waked a batter and then surrendered the game-tying RBI single to JJ Bleday.
The Reds proceeded to take the lead on a bizarre bases-loaded sacrifice fly by De La Cruz in which the right fielder Suzuki fell down and allowed the runner on second base to score as well. Chicago erased the 6-4 deficit with a single swing in the bottom of the frame when Pete Crow-Armstrong lifted an opposite-field two-run homer to left off of Graham Ashcraft.
The game went to extra innings and Cincinnati came up empty in the top of the 10th. Michael Busch played hero again in the bottom half drawing a walk from Brock Burke with the bags full, forcing home the winning run in a 7-6 Cubs victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Reliever Trent Thornton made his Chicago debut in the 10th and got a double play and a ground out to escape the inning without damage.
Why the Cubs Won
The hitters bailed out the bullpen after they finally gave up a late lead.
Stats That Matter
- Rea was solid and probably should have come away with a win: 5.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 5 K, and 3 BB.
- Happ had three hits on Wednesday.
- PCA also had a single and is really starting to feel it at the plate.
Bottom Line
This is really starting to get ridiculous for the Cubs, with 14 consecutive home wins and eight in a row overall. As an added bonus they have given a division rival three consecutive devastating losses. Injuries are the one looming problem that is clouding Chicago’s very sunny picture at the moment, which is hopefully a problem that can be somewhat mitigated by a trade or two. Right now though it’s very exciting to witness.
On Deck
The Cubs go for another sweep Thursday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Shōta Imanaga gets the starts against Rhett Lowder in a matchup available on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
