Chicago Cubs Power Past Reds to Take Series Opener

Middle-inning rallies and pitcher Hayden Wesneski’s five-inning Major League debut carried the Chicago Cubs over the Cincinnati Reds.

In a game that saw both powerful offensive and dominant pitching displays from the Chicago Cubs, the home team defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 9-3 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night.

The anticipation of starting pitcher Wade Miley’s long-awaited return to the mound for Chicago was quickly quieted, as a Kyle Farmer two-run triple gave Cincinnati an early lead in the first half-inning of play.

Despite entering the night going just 2-for-10 at the plate over the weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, outfielder Ian Happ took Cincinnati starter Justin Dunn deep in the bottom half of the first to tie the game on his fourth home run against the Reds this season.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ against the Cincinnati Reds / © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

While Reds third baseman Kyle Farmer would back up his first-inning RBIs with a home run to put Cincinnati in front in the third, eight runs would cross the plate for Chicago in the middle innings, ultimately leading to the series-opener victory.

Led by multiple RBI nights from both infielders Nick Madrigal and Christopher Morel, outfielder Seiya Suzuki continued his recent tear at the plate by hitting his eleventh home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth.

Despite Miley offering four innings of two-run baseball in his solid return to the mound, Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski stole the show as the right-hander made his Major League debut on Tuesday night out of the bullpen.

Talk about announcing his presence with authority!@Cubs No. 12 prospect Hayden Wesneski strikes out the first two MLB batters he faces. pic.twitter.com/dh3bh3ynXk

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 7, 2022

Traded to the Cubs from the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Scott Effross at this year’s trade deadline, Wesneski built upon his strong numbers that warranted his promotion with a stellar five-inning relief appearance where he struck out eight, allowed just two hits and saw no runs cross the plate.

Because of his five innings of work, he also received the win.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski reacts to securing the final out in his Major League debut.  / © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

With a nearly fully rested bullpen and an offense that appears to be back on track, the Cubs will look to secure the series victory tomorrow night against Cincinnati with right-handed pitcher Javier Assad back on the mound.

While left-handed pitcher Mike Minor will start for the Reds, Assad will look to build upon his supreme 0.90 ERA across his first three appearances in the big leagues. 

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