Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/16/19): Cubs 4, Reds 3 F/10 – Schwarber Walk-Off Homer Gives Cubs 10th Inning Win

The Cubs have struggled with the Reds so far in 2019. Tuesday seemed like more of the same when the road team jumped out to an early lead. Chicago battled back thanks to a couple home runs and walked off the win in the 10th.

Alec Mills came up from Iowa to make the spot start and ran into immediate problems. Eugenio Suárez took him deep to put the Reds up 1-0. Mills proceeded to hit Yasiel Puig and Derek Dietrich to put two men on. Nick Senzel singled home Puig and José Peraza doubled home Dietrich.

Further damage was avoided when Senzel was cut down at the plate trying to score from first. Robel Garcia continued to impress, smacking an opposite-field two-run shot to left in the 2nd inning. The home run off of Cincinnati starter Anthony DeSclafani cut the lead to 3-2.

Mills settled down and gave up nothing in his final five innings. DeSclafani was equally stingy. The Reds righty made a mistake on his final pitch of the night in the 6th. Kris Bryant did not miss the 2-0 fastball, launching it into the left field bleachers for a game-tying jack.

The bullpens held the game at 3-3 into the 10th inning. Kyle Schwarber jumped on an outside fastball from Raisel Iglesias and lofted it into the left field basket for a walk-off homer. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

Mills could’ve easily fallen apart after his rough opening inning. Instead he locked in and made a quality start to allow his team to rally back for the win.

Key Moment

Craig Kimbrel pitched the 9th inning and ran into trouble. Scooter Gennett singled and Jesse Winker walked to put two on with two outs for Joey Votto. Kimbrel got Votto to line out to escape the jam and preserve the tie.

Stats That Matter

• Mills likely earned himself another start: 6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 6 K, and 1 BB. He has excellent off-speed pitches, especially the change up.
• Garcia had two more hits and his homer was his third on the season.
• Anthony Rizzo had two more hits and a walk. Despite not having a homer since June 15, Rizzo has been hot of late.

Bottom Line

With a starter up from Iowa and an early deficit the Cubs could have mailed it in. It was good to see them fight back and earn a big victory.

On Deck

The rubber-match of the series is Wednesday at 1:20 CT. Sonny Gray does battle with Yu Darvish in a game televised on NBC Sports Chicago.