Did Cubs manager David Ross pull an ultimate jerk-move to keep Reds infielder Spencer Steer from making history?

Okay, imagine the Cincinnati Reds are down 9-0 with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs. I know that's hard to do after watching the Reds just obliterate their division rival, but just bear with me.

Up to the plate steps Ian Happ after going 3-for-4 with a single, double, and triple on the afternoon. All of the sudden, David Bell emerges from the dugout to replace Kevin Herget with Alexis Diaz.

That's essentially what Cubs manager David Ross did on Friday afternoon in Wrigley Field when he brought on Adbert Alzolay in the ninth inning to face Reds first baseman Spencer Steer.

Did Cubs manager David Ross pull an ultimate jerk-move to keep Reds infielder Spencer Steer from making history?

The Cincinnati Reds dismantled the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon in Game 1 of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Hunter Greene was spotless through six innings and the Reds relievers only allowed two hits on the day.

But in the top of the ninth inning, after Matt McLain reached base on an infield single, Reds first baseman Spencer Steer stepped into the batters' box with the chance to become the first player in Cincinnati history since Eric Davis in 1989 to hit for the cycle.

But, Chicago Cubs manager David Ross decided, with the bases loaded, two outs, his team trailing 9-0, and Javier Assad sitting at 70 pitches, it was time to go to the bullpen once again. That's fair, right? I mean, if Assad has reached his limit, why not?

But Ross decided to go with not just any reliever out of the bullpen, but his best reliever. Adbert Alzolay, who owns a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in his last seven appearances, made an appearance in the ninth inning with two outs. It took Alzolay one pitch to induce a ground ball out from Steer.

Now, of course, Ross will probably say that Alzolay hadn't pitched since Sunday and he needed to get some work in. In the ninth inning of a game in which you're losing by nine runs with two outs? Sorry, not buying it.

The Chicago Cubs were boat-raced by the New York Mets on Thursday and turned to catcher Tucker Barnhart to pitch in the ninth inning. Why didn't Ross just select a position player? This whole things stinks like yesterday's garbage.