The Cincinnati Reds secured a crucial series win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night as Chase Burns fanned seven batters in 5.2 innings pitched.
The Cincinnati Reds made a statement on Sunday night against the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs, securing a 7-5 victory and the series win on the heels of Chase Burns who struck out seven batters despite surrendering six hits and two earned runs through 5.2 innings pitched.
The Cubs struck early in the first inning when Pete Crow-Armstrong launched a solo home run on the sixth pitch he saw. However, the 23-year-old Burns recorded three-straight outs, including back-to-back punchouts on Michael Busch and Alex Bregman to limit the damage.
Cincinnati generated a couple baserunners in the second off an infield single by Eugenio Suárez and another hit by JJ Bleday. Cubs starter Shōta Imanaga swiftly countered though, getting Matt McLain down chasing and retiring two more Reds to end the inning.
Chicago increased their lead to 2-0 when Michael Conforto drove in Ian Happ with a one-run single. Even then, Burns remained unfazed as he turned to his signature slider to fan Miguel Amaya while also inducing a popout from Crow-Armstrong.
The Reds backed their ace in the fourth, going up 3-2 when rookie Héctor Rodríguez crushed a three-run shot to right field. Rodríguez also let Chicago back in it as he made a costly throwing error that allowed Happ to score once again and tie the matchup at 3-3.
Nonetheless, Cincinnati continued creating traffic in the fifth, setting up Dane Myers and Tyler Stephenson for a pair of homers that put the club back ahead 6-3.
Burns would keep Chicago's bats at bay until his removal from the game during the sixth, paving the way for Rookie of the Year hopeful Sal Stewart to tack on another run in the seventh with a one-run blast to center field.
The Cubs refused to go out quietly as Bregman reached home off a sacrifice fly in the eighth by Nico Hoerner. Crow-Armstrong attempted to spark a final rally in the ninth with his second homer of the night.
Still, Reds closer Emilio Pagán held on to generate a flyout from Seiya Suzuki to seal Chicago's fate and record his 19th save on the season.
Meanwhile, Burns improved to 15-3 overall and has compiled a 2.79 ERA and 171 strikeouts across 145.1 innings of action.
The Reds will return to Great American Ball Park where they will host the San Diego Padres for a three-game series starting Monday night at 6:40 p.m. EDT.
