Cincinnati Reds Suffer Walk-Off Loss to Cubs Despite Billy Hamilton’s 5 Steals

9. . 1. 61. 2

W: Brian Schlitter (1-2)

L: Burke Badenhop (0-2)

For the second straight game, the Cincinnati Reds played well into the night. And for the second straight game, the Cincinnati Reds suffered a walk-off loss at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. Once again, it was Starlin Castro who had the game-winning hit.

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This time, it took until the 11th inning for the walk-off hit to come, but it wasn’t any less painful for the Reds. Burke Badenhop took the loss after pitching a scoreless 10th inning. He gave up a one-out double to Chris Coghlan and instead of walking Castro to get to Mike Baxter, who had already struck out four times in the game, the Reds chose to pitch to the Cubs’ shortstop. It didn’t go well. Castro lined a 1-1 pitch into the left-center field gap and that was that.

Before the fatal blow was dealt by the Cubs, the Reds missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the top of the ninth. A single by Joey Votto, a double by Todd Frazier, and an intentional walk to Jay Bruce loaded the bases with no outs. None of them moved an inch after that as Brayan Pena popped out to short center field, Eugenio Suarez took a called third strike right down the middle, and Kristopher Negron flew out.

Believe it or not, there were some positives for the Reds, as Billy Hamilton and Anthony DeSclafani both did their best to guide their team to a win.

Hamilton ignited the Reds’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a walk and FIVE stolen bases on the night. The speedy center fielder also scored the Reds’ only run of the night. He led off the sixth inning with a double (only his third of the year, somehow), stole third, and scored on a single by Brandon Phillips, who returned to the lineup after a four-game absence.