Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitcher on Wrong Side of Baseball Record Books in Loss to Chicago Cubs

Tuesday was a bad day at the office for Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Ben Lively.

The Cincinnati Reds were blown out on Tuesday by the Chicago Cubs, 20-9. 

The Reds loss coupled with a Brewers win shrank Cincy's lead in the National League Central to just 0.5 games.

The Cubs are also charging, having won eight of their last 10 games. They are just 4.0 games back.

The Cubs made multiple instances of history in the win, which we covered here, but Reds starting pitcher Ben Lively also made some unfortunate history in the loss.

Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:

Ben Lively is the first MLB pitcher to allow 13+ earned runs and 4+ home runs in an outing of 4.0 innings or less (since earned runs became an official stat in 1913).

Ben Lively is the first MLB pitcher to allow 13+ earned runs and 4+ home runs in an outing of 4.0 innings or less (since earned runs became an official stat in 1913).

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 2, 2023

Lively certainly had to take that one on the chin for the team. He went 4.0 innings and allowed 13 runs on 13 hits. He also walked two and struck out four. He fell to 4-7 on the season and saw his ERA raise to 5.20. 

The Reds, who are seeking their first playoff appearance since the COVID 2020 season, didn't make any moves for starting pitching at the trade deadline, and this performance isn't going to quell the feelings that they should have.

The Reds are 59-50 on the season and will take on the Cubs again on Wednesday night. First pitch is slated for 8:05 p.m. ET as Reds rookie Brandon Williamson pitches against veteran lefty Drew Smyly. 

Williamson is 3-2 with a 4.48 ERA while Smyly is 8-7 with a 4.50.

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