Cubs drop third straight game against Reds, have yet to win since clinching postseason berth
CINCINNATI — Pinch runner Kevin Alcantara put on the brakes at third base, tantalizingly close to scoring the tying run against the Reds on Saturday. But the Cubs’ offense would stall out in a third consecutive loss at Great American Ball Park.
“Just didn’t get it done,” manager Craig Counsell said after the Cubs’ 6-3 loss. “That’s it.”
The game took its final swing in the Reds’ favor in that eighth inning. Alcantara replaced Reese McGuire on second base after his RBI double with no outs and the top of the lineup coming up. But after the Cubs failed to advance Alcantara more than one base, the Reds hit their third home run, a two-run blast by Tyler Stephenson.
The Cubs have not won since clinching a postseason berth Wednesday, when they completed a sweep of the Pirates.
All three losses to the Reds, who are fighting to remain in the wild-card race, have been decided by three runs or fewer. The three-game losing streak ties the Cubs’ longest skid of the season.
“The first night, we had a great game pitched against us,” Counsell said about Hunter Greene’s shutout. “I don’t think we’ve swung the bats great the last two nights, and I don’t think we’ve pitched great the last two nights.”
The Cubs went with a six-man rotation for this turn, slotting in right-hander Javier Assad to give them flexibility as they line up their playoff rotation. He allowed two runs in four innings and kept the ball in the yard.
Home runs from first baseman Michael Busch and McGuire kept the game close. But the Reds’ slugging against the Cubs bullpen put it away.
“Just because we’re losing, there’s no foot off the pedal,” Busch said.
“I think we show up that next day with anticipation to win, and I think we’ll continue to do that.”
30 dingers
Busch became the first Cub to reach 30 home runs, passing Pete Crow-Armstrong (29) and Seiya Suzuki (27), who for much of the year were battling for the team lead in that category.
“It’s an important home-run number for guys to hit,” Counsell said. “And it’s a testament to him just getting better. He’s gotten better in his second full season in the league, and that’s an exciting development for the Cubs.”
Busch’s solo shot in the third inning made him the first Cub with a 30-homer season since 2019, when Kyle Schwarber (38) and Kris Bryant (31) achieved the feat.
He’s one of five Cubs first basemen (more than 50% of games at the position) in the modern era to have a 30-homer season, joining Anthony Rizzo (four times), Derrek Lee (three times), Fred McGriff (once) and Ernie Banks (twice).
“It’s pretty cool just to be able to do it,” Busch said. “Any individual accomplishment is cool, but at the end of the day, it helps the team, and that’s kind of what we’re here to do.”
Roster move
The Cubs optioned righty Porter Hodge to Triple-A Iowa after he allowed three runs on two homers in one inning Friday and recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks.
Because the Triple-A season ends Sunday, Hodge will report to the Cubs’ Arizona complex, Counsell said, with instructions to “stay ready.”
Injury update
Righty Daniel Palencia (strained right shoulder) got in one rehab appearance before the conclusion of the Triple-A season. He allowed one run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday.
Palencia will be eligible to return from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.