Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/27/21): Reds 7, Cubs 4 – Votto Beats Cubs With Bat, Glove, Arm

Despite a valiant and nearly dramatic rally in the bottom of the 9th, the Cubs dropped a tough one to the Reds 7-4 at Wrigley Field Tuesday night.

Adbert Alzolay wasn’t sharp, but did get through five innings while giving up three solo shots and a Kyle Farmer RBI single. Joey Votto was rough on Alzolay, hitting two solo home runs, and fellow lefty slugger Jesse Winker added the third off the right-hander as his struggles with keeping balls in the park (especially to lefties) continue.

Anthony Rizzo stayed hot when he evened things up at 2-2 to answer the Reds’ two solo shots in the top of the 1st with his own bomb. However, the Cubs weren’t able to put anything else on the board until the bottom of the 9th. By that time, the Reds had added several more against the bullpen and the score stood at 7-2 entering the Cubs’ home half.

Patrick Wisdom and Kris Bryant both went yard with solo shots in the 9th to cut the lead to 7-4, prompting another Amir Garrett summoning from Reds skipper David Bell. This time, Garrett was able to secure the win for the Reds, although he did create some drama by walking Rizzo before getting David Bote to ground out while archnemesis Javier Báez loomed large but unused in the on-deck circle. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Early home runs and late add-on runs doomed the pitching staff while the offense could only muster runs in the 1st and 9th innings.

Key Moment

Votto’s catch on the tarp in foul ground and subsequent throw to get a tagging Rafael Ortega at the plate in the 3rd inning of a 4-2 game was a really big deal. Votto’s two bombs were pretty big as well.

Stats That Matter

• Rizzo hit a home run in the 1st inning for the third straight game.
• Wisdom hit his 15th bomb of the season (since May 25th), which accounts for 38% of his total hits (39).
• After a scoreless effort last night in the big come-from-behind win, the depleted bullpen was not as sharp and gave up three runs in four innings.

Bottom Line

The Cubs lost, but didn’t lose any players during the game tonight. Trades are front and center in everyone’s mind.

On Deck

For the third game of the series, Tyler Mahle gets the ball for the Reds in a matchup with Zach Davies for the Cubs. Game time is 7:05pm CT and can be seen on Marquee. Pat and Ron will have the call on 670 The Score for radio listeners.