Cubs newest trade acquisition already getting on the Reds' bad side as drama ensues

There is no love lost between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. The two bitter NL Central rivals came together on Monday night in Cincinnati with both teams holding onto the the slimmest of playoffs hopes as the trade deadline looms.

The Reds jetted out to an early lead on a Will Benson two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning, and played add on in both the fifth and eighth innings as well. TJ Friedl ran Jameson Taillon from the game with a three-run homer and then Jeimer Candelario sent a missile into the seats in right field off the newest member of the Cubs, Nate Pearson.

Cubs new trade acquisition Nate Pearson already getting on Reds bad side as drama ensues

But what happened next halted play and angered Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson. Whether Pearson took exception with Candelario's 402-foot blast is unknown, but the Cubs' reliever came up and in on Stephenson, striking him in the head with a 96.1 mph fastball.

Thankfully Stephenson's helmet took the brunt of the blow, but the Reds backstop was none too pleased with Pearson. The usually mild-mannered Stephenson was seen yelling at the Cubs' right-hander and Reds manager David Bell came into the game to help calm the storm.

As Stephenson strolled down to first base, the umpires gathered together to discuss what just happened. While it's always difficult to judge intent, the conversation was necessary.

The Reds maintained a 7-0 lead at the time and Candelario had just punctuated Cincinnati's dominance with a gargantuan shot into the moon deck. After talking it over, the umpires ejected Pearson from the game, which inevitably drew the ire of Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

Counsell protested the ejection, and he may have had a point. Again, it's difficult to judge intent, but the umpires were using their best judgment to assure that things didn't escalate. The umpires gave Counsell a long leash before the Cubs' skipper was eventually tossed as well.

The Reds finally surrendered a run in the top of the ninth inning, but Cincinnati still emerged victorious and took the first game of the three-game series by a final of 7-1.

The Reds now lead the Cubs by a full game in both the NL Central and wild-card race with the MLB trade deadline set to expire tonight. Both ball clubs are walking that fine line between full-blown buyer and all-out seller. The Reds and Cubs could look quite different on Tuesday evening when the two teams meet once again. Hopefully cooler heads prevail when the first pitch is thrown at 7:10 p.m. ET.

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