Live-Blogging: Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs 09/16/2019

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs 09/16/2019

Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Tonight it is Cincinnati Reds taking on Chicago Cubs. A Cubs win tonight, mathematically eliminates the Reds. But the concern for the Cubs are the injuries to Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo. Baez looks for a possible return to the Postseason. Meanwhile it looks more bleak for the Cubs' First Baseman Rizzo, who is done for the regular season with a sprained ankle.  According to the Sun-Times, he won't be back until the NLCS. 

Tonight's Starting Pitchers are right-hander Kevin Gausman for the Reds and left-hander Cole Hamels for the Cubs. Gausman comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.57, while averaging 3.72 P/PA. Meanwhile, Hamels comes in with a K/BB ratio of 2.57, while averaging 3.86 P/PA. 

It is Cincinnati Reds taking on Chicago Cubs, coming up shortly.
​
Starting Lineups:
Cincinnati Reds:
1. Alex Blandino, 2B
2. Phillip Ervin, LF
3. Eugenio Suarez, 3B
4. Aristides Aquino, RF
5. Curt Casli, C
6. Michael Lorenzen, CF
7. Jose Peraza, SS
8. Josh VanMeter, 1B
9. Kevin Gausman, P

Chicago Cubs:
1. Ben Zobrist, 2B
2. Nicholas Castellanos, RF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Kyle Schwarber, LF
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Victor Caratini, 1B
7. Jason Heyward, 1B
8. Nico Hoermer, SS
9. Cole Hamels, P

Reds are in their traveling gray uniforms, red lettering. Red caps with white 'C' on the front of the cap. While the Cubs are in their home white with blue pinstripes. Blue caps with red and white 'C' on the front of the cap.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Blandino 
2. Ervin
3. Suarez
Cole Hamels now starting as Cubs Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 7:07 p.m. CDT.
Balandino lines out to Heyward. 1 out.
Ervin draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Suarez at-bat, Ervin steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd. 
Suarez draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Aquino flies out to Castellanos. 2 outs.
Casli gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Reds strand a pair of base runners. 

Middle of 1st Inning:
CIN 0, CHC 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Zobrist
2. Castellanos
3. Bryant
Kevin Gausman now starting as Reds Pitcher.
​Browns and Jets are scoreless 1st Quarter
Zobrist singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Castellanos strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Bryant singles to left field. Zobrist advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
HOME RUN: Schwarber hits a 3-run homer to left center field. Zobrist and Bryant score. CIN 0, CHC 3
​Contreras grounds out to Peraza. 2 outs.
Caratini flies out to Ervin. 3 outs.
Cubs get 3 runs, off the homer by Kyle Schwarber. 

End of 1st Inning:
CIN 0, CHC 3

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Lorenzen
7. Peraza 
8. VanMeter
Hamels currently at 20 pitches.
​Lorenzen draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Peraza reaches on 3-6 fielder's choice. Lorenzen is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Lucas Sims (RHP) warming up in Reds Bullpen.
With VanMeter at-bat, Peraza is caught stealing by the 1-3-6 pickoff at 2nd. 2 outs.
VanMeter flies out to Heyward. 3 outs.
Cubs side is retired.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
CIN 0, CHC 3

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Heyward
8. Hoermer
9. Hamels
Gausman currently at 23 pitches.
Heyward grounds out to Balandino. 1 out.
Hoerner lines out to Suarez. 2 outs.
Hamels strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
CIN 0, CHC 3

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Gausman?
1. Balandino, 0-1
2. Ervin, 0-0
Hamels currently at 27 pitches.
​PINCH-HITTING: Christian Colon pinch-hitting for Kevin Gausman.
Colon gets hit by a pitch. Runner on 1st.
Balandino singles to center field. Colon advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Ervin strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Lucas Sims (RHP) returns to warming up in Reds Bullpen.
Suarez draws a base on balls. Bases Loaded.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: CIN 5, CHC 4
Alec Mills (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Aquino strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Casali draws an RBI-Walk. Colon scores. Balandino and Suarez move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. CIN 1, CHC 3
Lorenzen strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Reds get a run, but strand the bases loaded.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
CIN 1, CHC 3

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
1. Zobrist, 1-1
2. Castellanos, 0-1
3. Bryant, 1-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Lucas Sims (RHP) replaces Kevin Gausman, as Reds Pitcher.
​Zobrist lines out to Aquino. 1 out.
Castellanos flies out to Lorenzen. 2 outs.
Bryant draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Schwarber lines out to Ervin. 3 outs.
Cubs strand a base runner.

End of 3rd Inning:
CIN 1, CHC 3

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Peraza, 0-1
8. VanMeter, 0-1
9. Sims, 0-0
Hamels currently at 59 pitches.
​MLB Scores:
Peraza doubles down left field line. Runner on 2nd.
Steve Cishek (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
PINCH-HITTING: Derek Dietrich pinch-hitting for Josh VanMeter.
Dietrich lines out to a diving Schwarber. 1 out.
Sims hits an infield single to shortstop. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Steve Cishek (RHP) replaces Cole Hamels, as Cubs Pitcher.
​Balandino draws a bases loaded walk. Bases Loaded.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: CIN 5, CHC 3
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Ervin hits an RBI-Sacrifice-Fly to Heyward. Peraza scores. CIN 2, CHC 3
Suarez gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Reds get another run, but strand a couple of base runners.

Middle of 4th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 3

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Contreras, 0-1
6. Caratini, 0-1
7. Heyward, 0-1
Sims currently at 22 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Derek Dietrich remains in the game, to play first base.
​Browns Leading Jets 13-3; 2nd Quarter
Contreras singles to center field. Runner on 1st.
Brad Wieck (LHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Caratini flies out to Ervin. 1 out.
Heyward draws a base on balls. Contreras advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
REDS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: CIN 4, CHC 3
Matt Bowman (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Hoerner strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Tony Kemp pinch-hitting for Steve Cishek.
Kemp flies out to Lorenzen. 3 outs.

End of 4th Inning;
CIN 2, CHC 3

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Aquino, 0-2
5. Casali, 0-1
6. Lorenzen, 0-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Alec Mills (RHP) replaces Steve Cishek, as Cubs Pitcher.
​Aquino strikes out on foul tip caught by Contreras. 1 out.
Casali flies out to Zobrist. 2 outs.
Lorenzen gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Reds go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 3

Bottom of 5th Inning;
Due Up:
1. Zobrist, 1-2
2. Castellanos, 0-2
3. Bryant, 1-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Matt Bowman (RHP) replaces Lucas Sims, as Reds Pitcher.
​Zobrist grounds out to Balandino. 1 out.
Castellanos grounds out to Peraza. 2 outs.
Bryant draws a base on balls. Runneing on 1st. 
Amir Garrett (LHP) warming up in Reds Bullpen.
Schwarber strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cubs strand a base runner.

End of 5th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 3

Top of 6th Inning;
Due Up:
7. Peraza
8. Dietrich
9. Bowman?
​Mills currently at 12 pitches.
Peraza singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Dietrich strikes out swinging. 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING : Tucker Barnhart pinch-hitting for Matt Bowman. 
Barnhart flies out to Schwarber. 2 outs.
Balandino grounds out to Mills. 3 outs.
Reds strand a base runner.

Middle of 6th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 3

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Contreras, 1-2
5. Caratini, 0-2
6. Heyward, 0-1
​PITCHING CHANGE: Amir Garrett (LHP) replaces Matt Bowman and will bat 1st in Reds Lineup.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Tucker Barnhart stays in the game, to play first base. While Derek Dietrich stays in the game to play second base. 
Contreras singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Caratini gets hit by a pitch. Contreras advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
REDS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: CIN 3, CHC 3
Joel Kuhnel (RHP) warming up in Reds Bullpen.
RBI-DOUBLE: Heyward hits an RBI-Double over Lorenzen's head at center field. Contrereas scores. Caratini advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. CIN 2, CHC 4
PITCHING CHANGE: Joel Kuhnel (RHP) replaces Amir Garrett, as Reds Pitcher.
​Hoerner grounds out to Peraza. 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Ian Happ pinch-hitting for Alec Mills. 
Happ grounds out to Dietrich. 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Zobrist hits an RBI-Single to left field. Caratini scores. Heyward advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CIN 2, CHC 5
Castellanos flies out to Lorenzen. 3 outs.
Cubs get 2 runs, in their half of 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning;
CIN 2, CHC 5

Top of 7th Inning;
Due Up:
2. Ervin, 0-1, RBI
3. Suarez, 0-1
4. Aquino, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Rowan Wick (RHP) replaces Alec Mills, as Cubs Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
Ervin lines out to Castellanos. 1 out.
Suarez gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Aquino flies out to Schwarber at the Warning Track in Left Field. 3 outs.
Reds go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 5

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Bryant, 1-1
4. Schwarber, 1-3, HR, 3 RBI
5. Contreraz, 2-3
​Browns Leading Jets 23-3; 4th Quarter
PITCHING CHANGE: Ruben Alaniz (RHP) replaces Joel Kuhnel, as Reds Pitcher.
Bryant strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Schwarber grounds out to Dietrich. 2 outs.
Contreras strikes out on foul tip caught by Casali. 3 outs.

End of 7th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 5

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Casali, 0-2, RBI
6. Lorenzen, 0-2
7. Peraza, 2-3
Wick currently at 12 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: David Bote replaces Kyle Schwarber at second base. While Ian Happ remains in the game to left field. Zobrist has been out since the Top of 7th Inning.
Casali grounds out to Bryant. 1 out.
Lorenzen grounds out to Bote. 2 outs.
​Peraza flies out to Castellanos. 3 outs.
Reds go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
CIN 2, CHC 5

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Caratini, 0-2
7. Heyward, 1-2, RBI
8. Hoerner, 0-3
Alaniz currently at 12 pitches.
Caratini grounds out to Suarez. 1 out.
Kyle Ryan (LHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Heyward draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Hoerner singles to right field. Heyward advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 
Happ hits an infield single to Alaniz. Happ advances to 2nd, on throwing error by Alaniz. Heyward scores. Hoerner advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. CIN 2, CHC 6
PINCH-HITTING: Jonathon Lucroy pinch-hitting for Rowan Wick. 
​PITCHING CHANGE: Jimmy Herget (RHP) replaces R.J. Alaniz, as Reds Pitcher. Herget will bat 1st in the Reds Lineup.
Lucroy draws a base on balls. Bases Loaded. 
RBI-DOUBLE: Castellanos hits an 2-run double to center field. Hoerner and Happ score. Lucroy advances to 3rd. CIN 2, CHC 8
DOUBLE PLAY: Bryant lines into an unassisted double play by Suarez. 3 outs.
Cubs get 3 runs, in their half of 8th Inning.

End of 8th Inning: 
CIN 2, CHC 8

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Dietrich, 0-2
9. Barnhart, 0-1
1. Herget, 0-0
PITCHING CHANGE: Kyle Ryan (LHP) replaces Rowan Wick, as Cubs Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Albert Almora, Jr. replaces Jonathon Lucroy at center field. 
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Jason Heyward moves from center to right field. 
Dietrich grounds out to Hoerner. 1 out.
Barnhart grounds out to Bote. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Juan Graterol pinch-hitting for Jimmy Herget. 
Graterol singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Ervin singles to center field. Graterol advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: CIN 3, CHC 2
Suarez ends a 9-pitch at-bat, with a bases loaded walk. Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: David Phelps (RHP) replaces Kyle Ryan, as Cubs Pitcher.
Aquino grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice. 3 outs.
Reds strand the bases loaded, to end the game.

Final:
CIN 2, CHC 8
CIN: (70-81)
​CHC: (82-68)
W: Mills (1-0)
L: Gausman (3-9)
PoG: Schwarber (CHC) 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
ToG: 3:27

Final Thoughts: 
The Cubs had the lead from the get-go. North Siders overcame struggles by Hamels in the 3rd & 4th, with the help of big innings in the 6th and 8th innings. For the Reds, they are mathematically eliminated from N.L. Postseason Contention. 

For the Cubs' Postseason hopes, the Cardinals and Brewers both won. However, the Nationals lost to Cardinals. That means the Cubs remain 2 GB of the Cardinals and game ahead of the Brewers, for the N.L. Central. And they are now 0.5 GB the Nationals for the 1st N.L. Wild Card. 

The Reds will throw Sonny Gray, while Yu Darvish will pitch for the Cubs. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.