Friedl’s Knock Lifts Reds Over Cubs in Tense Tilt at Wrigley

A little late-inning small ball proved to be a big deal for the Big Red Machine on Monday night. With the game tied in the 7th and the pressure mounting at the Friendly Confines, T.J. Friedl flipped a clutch RBI single into center to break a 2-2 tie and lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 win over the rival Chicago Cubs.

Tyler Stephenson blasted a solo shot early to give the Reds some juice, and Elly De La Cruz roped an RBI double in the third. But the Cubs answered with a two-run shot from Dansby Swanson to temporarily take the lead before Cincinnati clawed back.

Both starters exited early—Nick Lodolo was sidelined with a blister, while Chicago’s Michael Soroka left with shoulder discomfort in his Cubs debut. That meant bullpen warfare, and the Reds’ relievers stood tall. Scott Barlow earned the win with two shutout innings, and Emilio Pagán pitched a flawless ninth for his 24th save.

Perhaps the play of the night came in the bottom of the seventh, when Swanson was initially ruled safe on a game-tying infield single—only for a Reds challenge to reveal he missed the bag. The call was reversed, and the Cubs’ comeback was iced on the spot.

Cincinnati (59-54) now trails the Cubs by 6.5 games in the NL Central and sends newly-acquired Zack Littell to the hill tonight for his Reds debut. The Cubbies counter with lefty Shota Imanaga in Game 2 of the heated rivalry series.

The Reds may be a few games back, but after a win like this, they’re proving the rally engine is still revving in Cincinnati.