Jameson Taillon Pitches 7 Crisp Innings as Cubs Blank Reds 1-0
Winning Start
Jameson Taillon pitched seven crisp innings in his second straight win, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 on Friday in the opener of their season-ending series.
Taillon (12-8) allowed four hits, struck out two and walked two on a blustery, overcast afternoon at Wrigley Field. The right-hander went 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in the last six starts of his second year with the Cubs.
“I had a little bit of a rough patch there in like early, mid-August,” Taillon said. “To be able to bounce back from that and finish strong is a good feeling.”
Complete Game by Reds’ Martinez
Nick Martinez (10-7) pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game, but the Cubs got one run more than enough.
The right-hander went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA in five September starts. Martinez said, “Didn’t have a great feel for my changeup today. So knowing what the wind is doing, kind of play to the elements and at times try to see how far they can hit it, knowing that it’s going to be a benefit for me.”
Fastest Nine-Inning Game
The game took 1 hour, 48 minutes to complete, making it the majors’ fastest nine-inning game since Armando Galarraga nearly threw a perfect game for Detroit against Cleveland on June 2, 2010. That game was completed in 1 hour, 44 minutes. The Cubs began the season with playoff aspirations under new manager Craig Counsell, but they were derailed by injuries and an inconsistent lineup.
Cubs Clinch Winning Season
The Cubs got their only run in the fifth. Nico Hoerner hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s sacrifice bunt, and scampered home on Miguel Amaya’s sacrifice fly. Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson grabbed Jake Fraley’s throw from right field and made a sweeping tag attempt, but Hoerner slid in safely.
Conclusion
Jameson Taillon’s crisp seven innings of pitching led the Cubs to a 1-0 victory over the Reds. Nick Martinez had a complete game, but it was not enough for the Reds to overcome the Cubs’ early lead. The Cubs finished the season with a winning record, while the Reds ended their season with a losing record.
FAQs
Q: Who pitched seven crisp innings for the Cubs?
A: Jameson Taillon pitched seven crisp innings, allowing four hits, striking out two, and walking two.
Q: What was the score of the game?
A: The Cubs won 1-0.
Q: Who had a complete game for the Reds?
A: Nick Martinez pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game.
Q: How long did the game take to complete?
A: The game took 1 hour, 48 minutes to complete.
