Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/28/26): Reds 10, Cubs 8 – Bullpen Blasted Again
The Cubs returned home to take on the Reds at Wrigley Field Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, the major bullpen issues they had on the road trip, and at other points throughout the season, came back with them as another reliever meltdown handed them a fifth loss in the last seven games.
Chicago got off to a promising start against Rhett Lowder with an Alex Bregman RBI double in the 1st inning and a two-run homer by Michael Busch that made it 3-0 in the 3rd. Cincinnati responded off of David Peterson with a run-scoring single by Héctor Rodríguez in the 4th and a solo shot from Sal Stewart that cut the deficit to 3-2 in the 5th.
Trent Thornton became the latest member of the North Siders’ bullpen to implode when he gave up five in the top of the 6th inning. Catcher Jose Trevino began the onslaught with a solo dinger, then, after a go-ahead RBI infield single by Stewart, Tyler Stephenson landed the big blow with a three-run homer that gave Cincy a 7-3 lead.
The Reds added two more against Aaron Civale on a bases-loaded single from Elly De La Cruz in the top of the 7th. The Cubs got one back in the bottom of the frame on an infield single by Seiya Suzuki to reduce the margin to 9-4.
Pedro Ramírez hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to get Chicago back in the game, and Suzuki doubled later in the inning to get them within 9-8. That would be as close as it got, however, as TJ Friedl homered against Daniel Palencia in the 9th as Cincinnati won 10-8. (Box score)
Key Moment
The perfectly placed infield single by Stewart kept the 6th inning alive for Stephenson to break the game open.
Why the Cubs Lost
Another rough afternoon for the bullpen was too much for the hitters to overcome.
Stats That Matter
- Peterson was decent, but he didn’t get any help after coming out of the game: 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 6 K, and 3 BB.
- Suzuki had three hits, two of which were doubles.
- Nico Hoerner also had three hits.
Bottom Line
The bullpen is reaching the danger zone, where it looks like it might completely fall apart. There don’t seem to be any reliable options right now, and it has been costing them games in which the rebuilt rotation has pitched really well. Something has to change in a hurry or a spot in the playoffs might start looking precarious.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Kevin Gausman is on the hill against Andrew Abbott in a contest available on Marquee and The Score
