Kris Bryant homers twice as Cubs fall in wild slugfest against the Redson May 2, 2021 at 10:18 pm

CINCINNATI – In what might go down as one of the wildest games of the 2021 season, the Red and Cubs had themselves a slugfest at Great American Ballpark and a game with that much action had to have extra innings.

But after taking haymaker after haymaker and delivering a few of their own, the Cubs came up short in Sunday’s series finale as the Reds came up with the game-winner in the 10th inning to take the series.

“It felt like a playoff game to be honest with you back and forth and tense nobody given in guys to do to fight,” manager David Ross said. “I’m so proud of my team. That’s one of the more intense games I’ve probably ever been a part of, especially as a manager.”

Between the two teams there were 25 runs, 30 hits, 10 home runs and if it not for the new extra-innings rule, who knows how long the game, that felt more like a boxing match, would have gone.

The Cubs’ offense has started to come to life over the last week. In the three-game set against the Reds, the lineup showed that they’re still capable of putting together some big performances.

“Just a great game,” third baseman Kris Bryant said. “I know we didn’t win, but if I’m a fan going to a baseball game, that’s what I want to see. What did we hit, 10 home runs combined? Great plays, lead changes. It was just a great game.”

A big performance was exactly what they needed in Sunday’s game after starter Treveor Williams was hit hard and tagged for six runs over 2 2/3 innings in the loss, allowing three third-inning homers to Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suarez.

Bryant played the role of catalyst for the offense, getting things started with an RBI-double on his big day before crushing his team-leading eighth and ninth homers off the season in the third and fifth inning.

“These guys didn’t give away an at-bat today. I’m just super proud of my team,” manager David Ross said.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo got in on the action in the third inning by hitting a solo shot of his own. Shortstop Javy Baez added a 434-foot, two-run shot in the seventh.

Despite all the offense, things didn’t look good as the Cubs’ bullpen struggled to stop the Reds’ offense and after the Baez homer, scored three more runs in the bottom of the inning to take a three-run lead. But after scoring one in the eighth inning, center fielder Ian Happ sent a no-doubt three-run shot to the bleachers in right field to tie the wild game at 12.

The Reds would have the last laugh in the game as former Cub Nick Castellanos singled off closer Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Cincinnati the 13-12 victory. It was the first time since May 28, 2006 vs. Atlanta that the Cubs played a game where they scored 12-plus runs and lost.

“This is one of those games where it really felt like it was back and forth all game. It was really who’s gonna blink first,” Williams said. “And as a Cub, it was incredible to see the guys pick me up and pick each other up along the way.

“Man, if we played a 15-inning ballgame, it would have been entertaining until the last out. So I think it’s one of those where we would have loved to be on the winning side of that, but aside from the loss, it was really great to see everybody pick each other up, especially the guys that that, including myself, didn’t have a great day.”

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