Taylor Teagarden, the last position player on the Chicago Cubs' bench, played hero when he singled home the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning off Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs (51-43) held on to defeat the Reds (42-51) 6-5.
With two outs and runners at the corners, Teagarden lined a 99-mph fastball from Chapman into center field to bring home Anthony Rizzo from third base (video). Rizzo singled earlier in the inning and advanced to second on the throw home from Marlon Byrd, which cut down Dexter Fowler trying to score from second (video). Cubs manager Joe Maddon challenged the call, but the out call stood. Fowler had led off the inning with a single.
Teagarden then stayed in the game as the Cubs' third catcher of the night.
The two teams traded five-run innings early in the game.
In the bottom of the second, Cincinnati exploded for five by getting RBI's from Ivan DeJesus, Jr., Tony Cingrani, Billy Hamilton, and Jay Bruce. The Reds loaded the bases with nobody out, and then the run-scoring parade started (video). DeJesus singled, Cingrani reached on an error, Hamilton doubled home two runs, and Bruce brought one in on a ground out. When the inning finally ended, the Reds had a 5-0 lead and looked like they would easily sweep the double header after routing the Cubs 9-1 in Game 1.
That five-run lead, however, did not last. In the top of the third, the Cubs immediately and completely erased it. With a man on second and one out, they started their own parade (video). Starlin Castro doubled home Jonathan Hererra, and Chris Denorfia followed with a two-run double. Pinch hitter Kris Bryant then tied the score with a two-run single that brought in Jorge Soler and Denorfia. The inning ended with the score tied 5-5.
Hector Rondon (W: 4-2, 1.93 ERA) won it in relief with a scoreless eighth inning. He worked around two hits and a walk, getting out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam thanks to some good old-fashoined luck. Reds slugger Todd Frazier grounded one hard off Rondon's right hip. The ball ricocheted to Rizzo at first, and Rizzo got the force out at home.
Rondon then got Bruce to pop up to end the inning and the threat.
Jason Motte (S: 6) gave up a two-out single in the ninth, but he then struck out DeJesus to end the inning and finish off the wacky game.
Chapman (L: 3-4, 1.74) allowed one run on three hits and two walks to suffer the loss. He also struck out two. Chapman threw over 100 miles per hour on most of his 26 pitches, but he had trouble hitting his spots. The Cubs took advantage.
Neither starter finished the third inning. Cubs starter Dallas Beeler lasted only two innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits. He walked three and did not strike out anyone. Beeler was the 26th man on the roster, an allowance for a double-header.
Cingrani pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits. He walked two and fanned three. Cingrani came out after Bryant's game-tying single.
Both teams have Thursday off, and they need it after a double header that followed a 13-inning affair Tuesday night. On Friday, the Reds travel to Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies while the Cubs return to Wrigley Field to open a six-game home stand with three against the Philadelphia Phillies.
