The Chicago Cubs secured a 7-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on a two-out, walk-off wild pitch, according to cubsmagicnumber.net. Anthony Rizzo opened the scoring for Chicago with a first-inning grand slam, while starting pitcher John Lackey delivered a quality start by throwing six innings, striking out six batters, and allowing just one earned run.
Late-Game Collapse and Umpire Controversy
Chicago built a 6-1 lead before the Cincinnati offense broke through against the Cubs bullpen for five runs to tie the game in the eighth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs put their first two batters on base. Ben Zobrist squared to bunt and was hit by a pitch, which appeared to load the bases with nobody out, according to cubsmagicnumber.net.
First base umpire Chris Conroy overruled the call, ruling that Zobrist had offered at the pitch. Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected from the game following heated arguments with the officiating crew. Zobrist subsequently grounded out, and Albert Almora struck out, leaving Kris Bryant at the plate.
The Walk-Off Sequence
With Bryant batting, the first pitch bounced in the dirt and kicked toward the Cincinnati dugout, allowing Javier Baez to race home from third base with the game-winning run, according to cubsmagicnumber.net.
Following the game, Joe Maddon voiced strong criticism of the officiating decision to reporters. “I don’t even know what to say about that call… that call cannot be made under those circumstances… that’s asinine… it almost cost us the game,” Maddon said, according to cubsmagicnumber.net.
Series Outlook at Wrigley Field
The four-game series between the Cubs and the Reds concludes on Thursday at Wrigley Field, according to cubsmagicnumber.net.