Puig comes through in clutch as Reds beat Cubs in 10th

It’s the first walk-off victory since last August for Reds

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer

A bases-loaded walk-off single by Yasiel Puig lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park.

Puig hit the ball off the wall in center field, and pinch runner Michael Lorenzen scored from third. It was the first walk-off victory of the season for the Reds, who improved to 19-24.

Joey Votto started the winning rally with a walk. He moved to third on a double by Eugenio Suarez. The Cubs walked Jesse Winker intentionally to load the bases and pitch to Puig, who had been 0-for-4. His long single brought his average to .212.

The Reds got on the board first. A double by Eugenio Suarez scored Nick Senzel, who singled and stole second in his first two at-bats, in the first.

» RELATED: Reds on pace for worst team batting average in franchise history

Sonny Gray, making his ninth start of the season for the Reds, gave up three earned runs on five hits in five innings. All three runs scored on home runs. Addison Russell hit a two-run home run in the second. Albert Almora Jr. hit a solo home run in the fourth to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead.

» HAL McCOY: Reds worst in baseball in one-run games

Cubs starter Yu Darvish, who was 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts against the Reds, held them to two earned runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Reds trailed 3-1 when Jose Iglesias scored Derek Dietrich with a double in the fourth and were down 4-2 when Iglesias homered in the seventh.

Middletown’s Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run in the eighth to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead. He has six home runs at Great American Ball Park in his career.

Suarez hit a two-run home run in the eighth to tie the game at 5-5.

About the Author