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00:00:00There's a voice inside my engine.
00:00:03Don't recognize the voice inside my head
00:00:06because I'm running from the past.
00:00:12Hello, and welcome.
00:00:13Thanks for joining us.
00:00:15MLB, the show has action out of the NL Central.
00:00:18It's the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs.
00:00:21Alongside Chris Eagleton, I'm John Shumby.
00:00:24So the Cincinnati Reds are in position
00:00:27to sweep this three-game series with a win
00:00:29so Chris, what's their mindset heading into today?
00:00:32Yeah, looking to go three for three, Blue.
00:00:34They've already won the series, and now they
00:00:36can really leave their mark.
00:00:38It's all about having confidence,
00:00:39and that's what a team takes away from a sweep.
00:00:42So they're happy to win the series,
00:00:44but they'll really be riding high tomorrow
00:00:45with a win today.
00:00:47First pitch coming your way next.
00:00:52Just about ready to go, and now here's
00:00:54the start for the Cubs.
00:00:55Three-finger Brown.
00:00:57And see, he likes pitching at home.
00:01:00Well, truly for him, there is no place like home.
00:01:03He's been so dominant here.
00:01:05And as a teammate, you expect him
00:01:07when pitching at home this year to go out and dominate
00:01:10just as he has.
00:01:11The fans expect it, and I think everyone around here
00:01:13knows that he's a good pitcher, even
00:01:15though we don't see the same splits on the road.
00:01:17That translates well.
00:01:18All right, ready to get underway,
00:01:20and ready to hit now for Cincinnati.
00:01:22Number nine, misses outside, and that's
00:01:26how this game gets started.
00:01:32First pitch, 7-0-7.
00:01:36The line to kick the pitch.
00:01:39They say a one.
00:01:48And the pitch.
00:01:52Jack's swing went around.
00:01:54And a count, one and two.
00:02:01Left-hand batter waits.
00:02:06High in the air, out to right.
00:02:08Sosa drifts towards it, looks it away for the out.
00:02:16Here's the lineup for the Reds.
00:02:18All right, see, how about all the talent in this lineup?
00:02:21They're deep, first and foremost,
00:02:23but the way that they can manipulate their personnel
00:02:26for match-ups and everything else,
00:02:27it's very intelligent, the way that they use their team.
00:02:32And I think it creates a little bit of uncertainty
00:02:36for opposing teams, especially in a big game, big series.
00:02:40Barry Larkin, the next hit for the Reds.
00:02:43He's turned into one of the best shortstops in the game.
00:02:46This guy is an elite level hitter,
00:02:49especially considering contact, just the ability
00:02:52to hit for average.
00:02:53What you really like, though, stays in against those righties,
00:02:57and that's not so easy as a right-handed batter.
00:03:07And that one is lifted in the air.
00:03:09Ryan should have this one.
00:03:11And they're two down.
00:03:17That and third.
00:03:18The catcher, number five, Johnny.
00:03:22Johnny Bench, the next hit for the Reds.
00:03:24His home-and-away split's there.
00:03:44First pitch, and that's in for a strike.
00:03:46I think if you ask most baseball fans,
00:03:48their vote for greatest catcher of all time
00:03:50would be this man right here,
00:03:52Johnny Bench.
00:03:54And he's down 0-2 as he swings through it.
00:04:00Kicks and deals.
00:04:04Put a punch out there.
00:04:05And good work there as he gets a 1-2-3.
00:04:08Reds go down quietly.
00:04:10Now the Cubbies will get their first crack.
00:04:13No score.
00:04:14Back after this on the show.
00:04:23Bottom of the first.
00:04:24And today's starting pitcher, number zero.
00:04:26What's the word on him?
00:04:28Boogate solidating his last time out, picked up the win.
00:04:32See what he's got today.
00:04:33If he plays catch with his catcher the way he did,
00:04:35doesn't shake off.
00:04:36I think we'll see more of the same.
00:04:37Bottom of the first.
00:04:38So up now for Chicago, number 11.
00:04:48And the pitch.
00:04:50If Bench isn't the greatest of all time,
00:04:52he's got a very short list.
00:04:54Rookie of the year, two-time MVP, 10 gold gloves.
00:04:58What didn't he do?
00:05:16Next offering is in for a strike.
00:05:20And the pitch out to short.
00:05:35Larkin collects on the run.
00:05:37Throw to first.
00:05:391-up, 1-down.
00:05:42Time now for the Chicago Cubs lineup.
00:05:46Siggy, we're looking at a really young lineup here,
00:05:48so not much experience.
00:05:50But it also means they're going to bring a lot of energy
00:05:52to the table most days.
00:05:54Well, we're in a golden age of young players.
00:05:56I mean, these players, they're getting up to the majors.
00:05:59They're dominating from a young age,
00:06:01bringing home plenty of hardware early in their careers,
00:06:04I mean, before they even get to free agency.
00:06:06So when you consider all of that,
00:06:08I love seeing the kind of energy that a team like this
00:06:11brings to the yard every day, day in and day out.
00:06:18Jimmy Ryan takes a strike there as he stands at the plate now.
00:06:39The pitch just missed.
00:06:42And I'll tell you something else about Bench.
00:06:44He was at the heart of one of the greatest teams of all time,
00:06:47that big red machine.
00:06:49And he deserves a lot of credit for their success.
00:06:53Now fly ball to right center.
00:06:55Number nine sizes this one up.
00:06:57Tracks it down for the out.
00:06:59And there's two down.
00:07:05Batting third, the right fielder, Sammy Sosa.
00:07:11Sammy Sosa getting ready to hit.
00:07:15Sosa, having a really nice first season in the big leagues,
00:07:18definitely a rookie of the year candidate.
00:07:34And that's in there for strike one.
00:07:36Goodness, I think he just took the best pitch
00:07:38he's going to see in this at bat.
00:07:39You don't get many like that in that location.
00:07:42I don't know if you take that pitch against any pitcher
00:07:44out there in the mound.
00:07:49At the belt and fires.
00:07:51That one is hammered right field.
00:07:54That's bad.
00:07:56Makes the catch up against the wall.
00:08:00Cubs are down quietly, scoreless after one.
00:08:14Back here at the ballpark, and here is Tony Perez.
00:08:18Singing he can't ask for anything more.
00:08:20This guy checks all the boxes offensively.
00:08:23He's the ultimate professional, and it doesn't just
00:08:25start at game time.
00:08:26It starts in the afternoon, the way
00:08:28he prepares and gets ready for the ball game.
00:08:30I tell you what, his teammates feed off of the leadership
00:08:33that he shows on and off the field.
00:08:36First pitch doesn't find the zone.
00:08:39That's where you want it.
00:08:40It's a good miss.
00:08:45The wind of the pitch, and now it's evened up.
00:08:51Mike Fillmore, our plate umpire, very consistent with his zone.
00:08:54Chris gets a lot of praise for that.
00:08:56He does, Boog, and I think that with any umpire,
00:08:59you really just want them to be consistent.
00:09:01Fillmore is a guy that does a good job back there in that way.
00:09:04So people around the league really
00:09:06appreciate his consistency.
00:09:08He missed.
00:09:19Got him swinging.
00:09:20He chased the change-up and one out now.
00:09:23I'm not sure what he was waiting on right there.
00:09:26He got the change-up and still laid on it.
00:09:28You rarely see that.
00:09:29It almost makes you think, oh, he's
00:09:31going to try to get a shot.
00:09:32He's going to try to get a shot.
00:09:33He's going to try to get a shot.
00:09:35He's trying to get a shot.
00:09:36He's trying to get a shot.
00:09:37that it almost makes you think that he was trying to set the pitcher up. I mean
00:09:41if you can't catch up to the off-speed stuff there's no way you're gonna touch
00:09:44a fastball. Number 18 the next to hit for the Reds. In there and it's 0-1.
00:09:55The pitch and that one wrapped foul.
00:10:13Here's the 0-2. Swing and a miss. Struck him out and now two gone. Already three
00:10:26strikeouts here in the early part of this start so I think the guys further
00:10:29down in this lineup might need to take notice, take some notes, share some
00:10:33information. Got to bring a better plan to the plate or else it's gonna be a
00:10:37really difficult game. Disrupt his pitcher, do something to get him out of
00:10:41his rhythm. And the batter now is Joey Votto. That one's in there 0-1. This
00:10:48lineup's gonna have to find a way to make him work a little harder out there
00:10:51on the mound. I mean he is just mowing him down. He's settling in, you got to
00:10:56make him uncomfortable. Maybe step out of the box, call timeout, do whatever it
00:10:59takes.
00:11:11Two outs and 1-2. I don't like to say he wasted a pitch, I think that was a
00:11:20purpose pitch. Change the eye level, have him look up, now go back exactly where
00:11:24you want to go. No score here in the second. That one misses and a count is
00:11:33even 2-2.
00:11:40Good eye right there.
00:11:52The wind and the pitch. Down on strikes and that is that. Reds down in order.
00:12:03We'll go to the bottom of the second. No score.
00:12:14Back here in Wrigley Field, bottom of the inning. Now it's the DH, Hack, Wilson. He is
00:12:22quite an athlete. I mean you look around the other sports, basketball, football, you
00:12:26feel like he could thrive in one of those sports too. And he deals. That's in
00:12:32there.
00:12:40He'll won. Well he's so great about hitting the ball the other way, he gets
00:12:48those arms extended. So right there, just trying to straighten him up a little bit
00:12:52so he doesn't have as much outside plate coverage. Foul ball.
00:13:02Here's a 1-2. Oh that got away from him and he's gonna reach on a hit-by-pitch
00:13:12to lead off the inning. Well they went after him right there with one of his
00:13:16best pitches. I'm really surprised that one got away from him. And next for the Cubs,
00:13:21Billy Williams. He's got the power but great contact skills. One of the best
00:13:26contact hitters in the game. He's a left-handed batter who still comes up
00:13:31with good contact and a good average against left-handed pitchers. First pitch
00:13:41and that's in for a strike. All right so you hit lefty. What makes it so hard to
00:13:46face a left-handed pitcher? Left-handers, they just seem to have different arm
00:13:50angles. So to keep that front shoulder in there and really discipline yourself can
00:13:54be tough sometimes. But the guys that do it well, man I tip my cap to them every
00:13:58day.
00:14:02Nobody out. Runner at first.
00:14:06Left-hand hitter waits. That one fouled off.
00:14:36And now the lefty. Got him looking. One away.
00:14:47Ernie Banks, the next Cub to hit. Here comes the pitch. Runner breaks for a
00:14:58second. Perez over to first in time. No chance at the double play but the runner
00:15:06in motion. My goodness Chris, he had to generate a ton of power in that jump
00:15:15throw for the out. Let's take another look and dive into the numbers from
00:15:18Stackcast. Man that's an impressive throw right there. I mean you've got to have a
00:15:23powerful arm to play third base in the big leagues and he just showed us why
00:15:28he's at this level. He has a cannon.
00:15:33Now it's gonna be Ryan Sandberg. First pitch just misses.
00:15:47Wilson at second with two down.
00:15:58Swings and blasts one deep to left center. That one carrying. Hauls it in on the
00:16:04warning track. Cubs leave one. We'll move to the third with no score.
00:16:19New inning getting started. In now for the Reds, George Foster.
00:16:28Brown back to work. Good eye right there.
00:16:41That two-seam fastball is a great pitch from a right-hander to a right-handed
00:16:45batter. Just really teases the inside part of the plate. Runs in on the hands.
00:16:51Righty delivers. That one misses. Two balls, no strikes.
00:17:06And a swing and a miss.
00:17:28Strike two. Kelly just threw that fastball by him elevated and if you're not
00:17:33looking up at that location, very difficult to catch up to especially with
00:17:36that velocity. Lifted in the air right center field. Pulls it in on the run and
00:17:44there's one down.
00:17:50Batting it. The right fielder. Pete Rose. Digging in. Pete Rose. Three for nine of the
00:17:58series coming in. And the first pitch misses for ball one. And here it comes.
00:18:16Misses inside and the count is 2-0. Top of the third, no score.
00:18:29The next offering misses and that's ball three.
00:18:38The pitch. There's a strike. Back-to-back fastballs in. That last one called for a
00:18:46strike. Probably go away but look for him to come back in there to try to finish
00:18:50you off.
00:18:59One down. Base is empty. And he walked him.
00:19:13Well he tried to nibble right there and just missed his spot. Hitter didn't offer
00:19:17at it. Now he has somebody to worry about over at first. One gone runner at first.
00:19:23Next for Cincinnati, Joe Morgan. First offering misses the mark. Good speed on
00:19:29the base pass. He handles the bat very well. I wouldn't be surprised if the
00:19:34skipper puts on some type of hit and run or run and hit.
00:19:41The 1-0. This is one of those situations defensively where you can't try to do
00:19:49too much. You got to make sure that you feel the ball cleanly and get one out
00:19:52first. It's going to be tough to get two with this kind of speed in the batter's box.
00:20:04Next one misses. Ball three. Could miss with that changeup away. He needs a ball
00:20:09on the ground for a double play. Minimize the potential threat right here on the
00:20:14hitter side. Nice job of laying off that pitch. Oh now this one's high and deep.
00:20:19Way back there. On its way. Gone.
00:20:26His 21st of the year and they grab the lead. It's 2-0.
00:20:42Knew what pitch he wanted to hit. Spent on some other pitches in this. Hit bad.
00:20:47Was very patient and it paid off.
00:20:57Back to the top of the lineup. Number nine. The next to hit for the Reds.
00:21:02Number nine. And first offering is fouled off.
00:21:09Still only one out here in the inning.
00:21:19Puts it in the air out towards left center. Banks makes the grab. Two down.
00:21:30So two down now and here is Barry Larkin saying he he's a guy that covers both sides of the
00:21:46plate about as well as anyone in the sport. How difficult is that to do?
00:21:50Well just look at the back of my bubblegum card you'll see how hard it is.
00:21:53These guys are great man. They have the ability. Ah that ends the inning so we
00:21:58take a break. But two come across to score in the inning courtesy of this two-run homer.
00:22:04It's now a 2-0 ballgame.
00:22:18Here at Wrigley Field now at the plate Gabby Hartnett.
00:22:24Well after putting up a nice inning on offense got some runs across this is where you look for
00:22:30the starter to go out there have a shutdown inning. Don't give that other team any hope.
00:22:34You just hope they didn't get through this inning get the bats back up there while they're hot.
00:22:37Next pitch is outside.
00:22:50Kicks and fires. Swing and a miss. Strike one.
00:23:03They can live up in the zone all game if guys will chase it.
00:23:07That's just too much velocity. Hitters got to look down in the zone.
00:23:11The 2-1. Right side and that chance handled. He'll do it himself.
00:23:21Leadoff hitter gone in the third.
00:23:23The third baseman. Ron Santo.
00:23:32The next cub to hit. Good defender. He's been inconsistent offensively.
00:23:37And first offering is fouled off.
00:23:59That one fouled hard the other way.
00:24:07Here comes a pitch. Swing and he breaks his bat.
00:24:17And a foul ball. You see how the catcher wanted that pitch up and in want to try to tie him up.
00:24:22That's the one thing we're seeing that high fastball.
00:24:25You have to get it up there because of how hitters have changed their swings.
00:24:28Kicks and deals. Foul ball there.
00:24:31Oh, this is deep to left center. Way back there. On its way. Gone.
00:24:49His seventh home run of the season and they slice into the lead.
00:24:56It's 2-1. He put a charge into that one.
00:25:00That was a lightning swing right there. No doubt about it.
00:25:09A good hitter gets pitch recognition early.
00:25:11He saw exactly where that was going to be.
00:25:14The challenge, not get over anxious and come out of your swing.
00:25:17He stayed on it and got all of it.
00:25:23So up next, number 11.
00:25:26Now that is number 11.
00:25:30Try to put his way on and he picks it up in foul territory.
00:25:36And a pitch. And there's a ball.
00:25:53The pitch.
00:26:13That one fouled off two and two.
00:26:23And a pitch.
00:26:33In the air out towards right center.
00:26:36Number nine heading to the alley.
00:26:38Hauls it in for the out.
00:26:44Center fielder, number 16.
00:26:48Jimmy Bryant.
00:26:51Now the number two hitter, Jimmy Bryant.
00:26:54Flied out his first time.
00:27:05And that's in there for strike one.
00:27:16And a bunt towards third.
00:27:18And he picks it up and he'll put it in his pocket.
00:27:26The pitch.
00:27:29Ripped to third and picked on a hop.
00:27:31The throw gets him easily, ends the inning.
00:27:35But not before they're able to draw closer with this blast.
00:27:39And this is now a 2-1 ball game.
00:27:49And welcome back.
00:27:58Start of the fourth.
00:27:59And now Johnny Bench.
00:28:02He might just be the best hitting catcher in the game today.
00:28:05Well, Boo, he's so valuable.
00:28:07Does a good job behind the plate.
00:28:08But offensively, he's a middle-of-the-order type of bat,
00:28:12especially when you talk about catchers.
00:28:14And their number one job is to handle the pitching staff and prevent runs.
00:28:18This guy is able to add runs by producing them.
00:28:29Deal two.
00:28:33Swing and a miss.
00:28:34Struck him out.
00:28:35One down.
00:28:40So here's the cleanup hitter, Tony Perez.
00:28:43This guy has turned into a beast.
00:28:55First pitch doesn't find the zone.
00:29:19Right-hander kicks, deals.
00:29:23Strike.
00:29:24Well, he looks fresh out there, just needs to get a little more confidence
00:29:28and remember how good he's been in the past.
00:29:36And a pitch.
00:29:40That's a ball.
00:29:50Now one missed.
00:30:06The other way.
00:30:08And it drops in, but a good job to keep it in front.
00:30:13Well, patience and discipline paid off right there as he got into an advantage count.
00:30:17Anytime you rip a line drive the other way,
00:30:19you feel really good about what you did at the plate.
00:30:22You trusted your hands, you let the ball travel,
00:30:25and you took the barrel straight to it.
00:30:27That's great work right there.
00:30:28One down.
00:30:30And here's the first baseman, number 18.
00:30:33In there in its own one.
00:30:48And the righty deals.
00:30:50And now the count is even.
00:30:52Well, he's really working him away in this at-bat,
00:30:54sometimes take a little bit off velocity, try to get a rollover,
00:30:57something on the ground, stay away from that big hole on the right side of the infield.
00:31:06Left-hand batter waits.
00:31:08And it is two and one.
00:31:11You got two balls, one strike.
00:31:16And the right-hander deals.
00:31:20Last couple of pitches breaking balls away.
00:31:22I think he's going to have to come firm inside to be able to open up that location
00:31:26if he wants to go back there later in this count.
00:31:31The pitch.
00:31:33And there's ball four.
00:31:36Well, interesting, he went with the off-speed and walked the hitter.
00:31:40Man, you got to challenge the guy with the fastball.
00:31:43And now the designated hitter for the Reds, Joey Votto,
00:31:47a guy who makes an impact not just at the plate but also in the field.
00:32:07Double steal.
00:32:09Rolled over to third.
00:32:11Over to second for one.
00:32:13Puts the tag on him, and that's the inning.
00:32:16On now to the bottom of the fourth.
00:32:18It's the Reds two and the Cubs one.
00:32:32Back here at the friendly confines.
00:32:34Bottom of the fourth, digging in, it's the speedy outfielder, Sammy Sosa.
00:32:45The pitch.
00:32:47It's good speed at the top of the order here.
00:32:49You want to get it on, see if you can get a stolen base,
00:32:51maybe get around the bases and pick up a run.
00:33:00And that one fouled off.
00:33:13Pitch.
00:33:16Lined, and that's a base hit.
00:33:18And the leadoff man aboard.
00:33:23Man, Ziggy, he hit that ball right on the sweet spot.
00:33:26According to StatCast, the exit below 110 miles an hour.
00:33:31Yeah, Boog, I mean, that right there is an absolute missile.
00:33:34And he just put a great swing on it, squared it up perfectly.
00:33:38Those are the ones that feel really good.
00:33:41Now, the first pitch misses for ball one.
00:33:59At the belt and fires.
00:34:01Good eye right there.
00:34:03Everyone here understands just how quickly things could change.
00:34:10And he deals.
00:34:12There's the strike.
00:34:13Baseball is coming out of his hand very well.
00:34:16He's been able to paint all four corners,
00:34:18but really could ride at the top of the zone.
00:34:20Hitters have to respect that.
00:34:22Very difficult pitch to hit.
00:34:28And now the lefty.
00:34:31In the dirt.
00:34:33And the runner holds.
00:34:40Throw to first.
00:34:41Sosa dives back in safely.
00:34:53And here it comes.
00:34:55And now it's filled up.
00:34:56So here we go.
00:34:57Base runner at first.
00:34:58Could be running on the pitch.
00:35:00Not good enough speed to steal the bag to get in scoring position,
00:35:03even if it's a swing and miss at the plate.
00:35:11Stays alive.
00:35:14With two strikes.
00:35:15May see some movement over there at first base,
00:35:17trying to stay out of a double play here.
00:35:24Payoff pitch.
00:35:26Fouled off again.
00:35:28And it remains 3-2.
00:35:32Sosa on at first.
00:35:34Nobody out.
00:35:42And down on strikes he goes.
00:35:44One out in the bottom of the fourth.
00:35:46Well, big strikeout right there
00:35:48and maybe a little controversial with the call.
00:35:50I think he got a little bit of favor on the mound.
00:35:52No question about it.
00:35:54It's not exactly what you want to see in a big spot like that,
00:35:57and I'm sure there's some chirping going on from the dugout making it clear
00:36:00that wasn't his best call behind the plate today.
00:36:04Now, Billy Williams.
00:36:06That one's in there 0-1.
00:36:23That's inside.
00:36:36Left-hand hitter waits.
00:36:38That one's in there.
00:36:39And a count one and two.
00:36:52Here comes a pitch.
00:36:54Ground ball.
00:36:55Could be two.
00:36:56Marked it.
00:36:57Tossed the second.
00:36:58And it's a double play to end the inning.
00:37:01They made it look easy,
00:37:02but it started with a nice feed to the second baseman from the shortstop.
00:37:06Perfect turn.
00:37:08And they're out of this jam.
00:37:13Ready now for the fifth inning.
00:37:15And ready to hit now for Cincinnati.
00:37:17George Foster.
00:37:29The right-hander back to work.
00:37:33And the first pitch misses for ball one.
00:37:43Just off the outside part of the plate.
00:37:50The wind and the pitch.
00:37:54They say it went.
00:38:03The wind and the pitch.
00:38:07Trying to get him to chase on the changeup that time.
00:38:21Good plate appearance there.
00:38:23Able to take the walk.
00:38:25And he reluctantly takes his walk.
00:38:29Pete Rhodes now at the plate.
00:38:32It's amazing we get a chance to talk to a lot of opposing managers.
00:38:36This guy scares managers on the other team as much as anyone.
00:38:40And he gets to fly beneath the radar
00:38:42with the other more recognizable names in this lineup.
00:38:52First pitch and that's in for a strike.
00:39:22And a swing and a miss.
00:39:24And one gone.
00:39:25Very frustrating right there as a speedy potential base runner.
00:39:30With two strikes you just struggle to put the ball in play.
00:39:33You don't even have to get a hit at that point.
00:39:35You can help your team just by reaching on an error.
00:39:38But some way you've got to find a way to shorten up the swing
00:39:40and put the ball in play next time.
00:39:42Now here is Joe Morgan.
00:39:45First offering misses badly for ball one.
00:40:01And another ball.
00:40:03Usually a high level of confidence when you're facing a young pitcher
00:40:06out there on the mound.
00:40:08In this situation a head 2-0 has put himself in a really good spot.
00:40:142-0.
00:40:16And that's in for a strike.
00:40:18I think that pitch surprised all of us.
00:40:20Right down the middle doesn't get a swing.
00:40:22Not very often you see a hitter lay off a cookie like that.
00:40:38And the righty deals.
00:40:40Got him.
00:40:41Back-to-back strikeouts.
00:40:43I'm not really sure why he let that one go by.
00:40:46I mean out of the hand it had a lot of the strike zone.
00:40:48Sure it had some good arm side run at the end
00:40:51to move to the outside part of the plate.
00:40:53But with two strikes you've got to be ready to swing it there
00:40:55and you can't leave it in the umpire's hands.
00:40:58Number nine.
00:40:59The next to hit for the Reds.
00:41:20And the first offering is not close.
00:41:32And the pitch.
00:41:35Swing and a ball popped up.
00:41:37And the inning is over.
00:41:39So one left for Cincinnati.
00:41:41But they still lead it 2-1.
00:41:44Every day.
00:41:46Every day.
00:41:49Tell me what you want, what you really want.
00:41:51Tell me what you want, what you really want.
00:41:56Ready to go for the last half of the inning.
00:41:58And the batter will be the shortstop.
00:42:00Ernie Banks.
00:42:02He's not going to get cheated up there.
00:42:04No, he's not.
00:42:05He's looking to do damage with every swing he takes.
00:42:16And the pitch.
00:42:18That's out to center field.
00:42:21Makes a nice running catch.
00:42:24And there's one down.
00:42:32Brian Sandberg.
00:42:33The next to hit.
00:42:36Well, on the mound, very efficient.
00:42:38Able to produce an outcome, it seems like,
00:42:40within the third or fourth pitch of just about every bat.
00:42:46And that's in there for strike one.
00:42:48Well, he's been incredibly efficient in this one.
00:42:50First pitch strike percentage over 70%.
00:42:53That's well above league average.
00:42:55And that's what's allowed him to pitch well up until this point.
00:42:58The next offering is downstairs.
00:43:09And there's a foul ball.
00:43:22Kicks and deals.
00:43:24And it's even up.
00:43:40And a pitch.
00:43:43Swing and a line drive caught.
00:43:53Two outs.
00:43:54Base is empty.
00:43:55Gabby Hartnett, the next cub to hit.
00:44:06First offering, and it just misses.
00:44:17The pitch.
00:44:19And that one fouled off.
00:44:32The 1-1.
00:44:34Rips that one center field.
00:44:37Makes the grab on the run.
00:44:39And that'll do it.
00:44:40Three up, three down for the Cubs.
00:44:42And our score remains 2-1.
00:44:53Back here at the ballpark,
00:44:54Starting the sixth, John Shomby with Chris Singleton.
00:44:57And leading off, Barry Larkin.
00:45:14Brown back to work.
00:45:18Outside.
00:45:19Ball one.
00:45:27Righty to the plate.
00:45:31Two balls, no strikes to count.
00:45:46Kicks and fires.
00:45:50That one ripped.
00:45:52Puts the squeeze on it.
00:45:54And there's one away.
00:46:00The catcher, number five, Johnny Bench.
00:46:05Johnny Bench, the next to hit for the Reds.
00:46:10Johnny Bench did a lot in his career to change the catching position.
00:46:13He's got popularized the one-handed catching stance,
00:46:16which not a lot of guys were using at the time.
00:46:20First pitch, and he just misses.
00:46:36Right-hander kicks, deals.
00:46:41And a foul ball.
00:46:51The one-one.
00:46:56And that one in the air, center field.
00:46:59Brings it in with a nice running grab.
00:47:02Two down.
00:47:04Now batting, the third baseman, Tony Perez.
00:47:09Tony Perez, the next to hit for the Reds.
00:47:13Bench used that unique stance, and he had amazing hands
00:47:17and tangled gloves to prove it.
00:47:20First offering, misses the mark.
00:47:31Fought off foul.
00:47:39The one-one.
00:47:43Swing and a miss, and that's strike two.
00:47:46And Bench is one of the first catchers to use a hinged mid as well.
00:47:49Didn't take long before everybody was using him behind the plate.
00:47:54The wind of the pitch.
00:47:58And a foul ball.
00:47:59He stays alive.
00:48:07A wide kick to pitch.
00:48:11A swing and a soft liner.
00:48:13And that's a base hit.
00:48:16Joey gets on base and keeps it going.
00:48:22Just a simple soft liner into center field for the knock right there.
00:48:26Maybe a little bit fooled by the pitch,
00:48:28but he did a good job of staying through it,
00:48:30and that allowed him to fight it off and just get enough behind it.
00:48:34And now the first baseman, number 18.
00:48:40First pitch doesn't find the zone.
00:48:55The right-hander deals.
00:48:57And that one hit to first.
00:49:00Takes it himself, and that'll do it.
00:49:03Nine-one and two scheduled to hit in the home half of the sixth.
00:49:06It's the Reds two and the Cubs one.
00:49:09Just bounced it in.
00:49:10Everybody want to come.
00:49:11I'm announcing it.
00:49:12I'm always going to get it.
00:49:13I'm always going to get it.
00:49:17Now in the third baseman, Ron Santo.
00:49:20He blasted one out earlier in the third.
00:49:22Just a solo home run, but an important swing of the bat in this game.
00:49:25We've already seen him do it once.
00:49:27Can he do it again?
00:49:35The pitch.
00:49:37Ball one there.
00:49:47The lefty, the one-oh.
00:49:50That one hammered, but pulled foul.
00:50:05On the ground to third.
00:50:09To first, but it pulls him off the bag.
00:50:12Well, it's been a struggle on offense for them in this one,
00:50:15so maybe that wakes them up a little bit.
00:50:17You know, an error can certainly give the opposing lineup something to get excited about.
00:50:21You've got somebody on base, so we'll see if they can make something of it.
00:50:26So digging in, number 11.
00:50:35And the first pitch misses for ball one.
00:50:37No base hits in the series for him so far, and it's clearly been a rough one.
00:50:41You just hope he's not pressing too hard because that just compounds things.
00:50:44It makes the slump even longer.
00:50:46Never seemed to help.
00:50:47Never helped me.
00:50:53On the ground, two ball.
00:50:55Beats the second out there.
00:50:57Throw to first, but he beat it.
00:51:01Now batting, center fielder, Jimmy Ryan.
00:51:09And now the center fielder, Jimmy Ryan.
00:51:12The M.O. for him is contact.
00:51:14The guy who's going to deliver average, not a ton of power.
00:51:17He's looking to hit a line drive somewhere.
00:51:19That's why it's a team.
00:51:21When you look at a lineup, he's a great two-hole hitter or a guy that you can put at the bottom
00:51:25to help turn that lineup over and have some momentum for your top hitters coming up to the plate.
00:51:44Moved to first.
00:51:50And he dives back in safely.
00:52:01And a 1-0.
00:52:03And a 1-0 misses low.
00:52:05Chris, with that distraction and a speedy guy at first, he's in a favorable hitters count.
00:52:11Well, if nothing else, this is a great spot for a hitter to be in.
00:52:192-0.
00:52:21Swing and a pop-off in foul ground.
00:52:26Perez settles under it and makes the catch.
00:52:29Two away now.
00:52:30Good hard fastball up in the zone right there.
00:52:32They look really good coming in, but so hard to get on top of as a hitter.
00:52:37Sammy Sosa, the next cup to hit.
00:52:40One for two.
00:52:46Here comes the pitch.
00:52:47There goes the runner from first.
00:52:49That's in for a strike.
00:52:50Throw, save.
00:52:52That's a stolen base.
00:52:54Well, that steal right there is wanting to take advantage of having a really good hitter at the plate.
00:52:58Now they've got a much better shot at bringing home a two-out RBI.
00:53:08So the tying run at second.
00:53:10Swings and misses.
00:53:12And that is strike two.
00:53:39Man at second.
00:53:42Stays alive.
00:53:55Two outs.
00:53:57Swing and a miss.
00:53:58And that is that.
00:54:00One left for the Cubs.
00:54:02They're down two to one.
00:54:19Back here at Wrigley Field.
00:54:20All set for the start of the inning.
00:54:22Leading off, Joey Votto.
00:54:34The pitch.
00:54:38Gets him to chase after that one.
00:54:40Activity in the bullpen.
00:54:42Number 19, the hard-throwing righty, is up and loosening.
00:54:52Righty delivers.
00:54:56Now a one and a one.
00:55:02Here's a one-one.
00:55:06Oh, that's just out.
00:55:21Good eye right there.
00:55:23This is a really good feeling for a hitter.
00:55:25At this point in the ballgame, you know that they don't want to walk you, so you're going to get a pitch to hit.
00:55:30You just better not miss it.
00:55:32Three-one is on the way.
00:55:36And that's ball four.
00:55:39Pretty easy walk right there.
00:55:40Last pitch wasn't even much to think about.
00:55:44Now the left fielder, George Foster.
00:55:59And it's fouled away.
00:56:05Votto gets his lead at first with nobody out.
00:56:12Next pitch misses.
00:56:13And one and one.
00:56:21At the belt and fires.
00:56:24And now two balls and a strike.
00:56:33And a swing and a miss there.
00:56:35He's gone off speed.
00:56:36He needs to elevate here with two strikes out of the zone.
00:56:43The two-two.
00:56:46On the ground, right side.
00:56:47And it's through for a hit.
00:56:52Throw back in quickly.
00:56:53First and second now with nobody out.
00:56:55Well, a swing like that can help you come out of this struggle.
00:56:58We saw the numbers coming into the ballgame.
00:57:01But all he's trying to do at this point is help his team win.
00:57:04Here comes the manager out of the Cubs' dugout.
00:57:06And he will make a move to the pen.
00:57:08Three-finger.
00:57:09Brown gives way.
00:57:11And a line not closed on him yet as he's responsible for the runners on base.
00:57:15Back with a new pitcher after this.
00:57:25Number 19 into the game.
00:57:28He last pitched two days ago.
00:57:42And now for the Reds, Pete Rose.
00:57:53Rolled a short.
00:57:54Could be two.
00:57:55Off-balance feed.
00:57:56There's one.
00:57:57Over to first seed.
00:58:01Tough play right there.
00:58:02Didn't really have enough time to set his feet and make a strong, accurate throw.
00:58:06Had to rush it.
00:58:07But he got it off and he got it there in time to get that out at second base.
00:58:11And now it's going to be Joe Morgan.
00:58:14This guy is one of the best athletes in the sport.
00:58:20And he swings and misses and it's nothing at all.
00:58:23Looking for some insurance.
00:58:25Or as our friends down in the south would say.
00:58:28Insurance.
00:58:29No matter how you say it, we know what you mean.
00:58:33First and third.
00:58:34One down.
00:58:41Way inside.
00:58:42Gets out of the way.
00:58:43Not the easiest thing.
00:58:45When you're talking about a guy that's, you know, perhaps is going to be in the rotation.
00:58:49Maybe a long relief guy to not start an inning.
00:58:52To come into an inning with pressure on it and try to get yourself comfortable.
00:58:59Right-handed reliever.
00:59:00That one outside.
00:59:01And that's ball two.
00:59:03Good spot for the hitter.
00:59:04Definitely has the advantage in this count with runners on.
00:59:07Look for him to be aggressive on this next pitch.
00:59:18Next one misses.
00:59:19And that's ball three.
00:59:27Runners are at the corners.
00:59:28One away.
00:59:36The 3-1 in for a strike.
00:59:38Full count.
00:59:39Well, in this situation with a runner on first.
00:59:41Less than two outs.
00:59:43Some say, hey, get the ground ball.
00:59:45Double play.
00:59:46With two strikes.
00:59:47Some people say get the strikeout.
00:59:48I think you just execute your pitch.
00:59:50Make the best pitch you possibly can.
00:59:52And let the result be whatever it's going to be.
00:59:55Three balls.
00:59:56Two strikes.
00:59:57The count.
00:59:58Got him looking.
01:00:00Now two away.
01:00:01Just locked him up right there for the second out.
01:00:03And that's an advantage he's probably going to be thinking about for a little while.
01:00:07Didn't pull the trigger.
01:00:08Not how you want to go down in an RBI spot.
01:00:10So, now you've got to hope your teammate behind you can pick you up.
01:00:16So, two down now.
01:00:17And here is number nine.
01:00:20If you don't get ahead in the count,
01:00:22you can forget about having any success against him.
01:00:39First offering and it just misses.
01:00:52Corners are occupied with two down.
01:01:01Next offering is in for a strike.
01:01:04Good looking fastball right there.
01:01:05Surprised he didn't take a rip at that.
01:01:07Think he got locked up a little bit.
01:01:12Check on the runner.
01:01:13Rose gets back easily.
01:01:27Two on, two outs.
01:01:29And a foul ball.
01:01:45Next offering is down low.
01:01:48Runners on first and third, two away.
01:01:58Swing and a miss.
01:01:59Looked off balance that time.
01:02:01In plenty of time.
01:02:02The first, third out.
01:02:05Couple of strikeouts with runners on.
01:02:07Sometimes you've got to really bear down.
01:02:09And he did just that.
01:02:10Nice job of getting out of the gym and out of the inning.
01:02:20Bottom of the seventh.
01:02:21Now the Cubs four-hole hitter, Hack Wilson.
01:02:26You know this guy's great speed is in the back of that pitcher's mind.
01:02:29If he can get on, it's going to give him one more thing he's got to think about.
01:02:33And he deals.
01:02:35Out towards right center field.
01:02:37Number nine on the move.
01:02:39Head back.
01:02:40Back some more.
01:02:41And he makes the catch.
01:02:43One away.
01:02:47The batter, the left fielder, Billy Williams.
01:02:53So up next, Billy Williams.
01:03:07First offering, misses the mark.
01:03:09Activity in the bullpen for the Reds, Clay Carroll.
01:03:13And loosening in the pen, Graves.
01:03:16Getting loose as well.
01:03:29Next offering is in for a strike.
01:03:39The tying run at the plate.
01:03:41So a foul ball makes it one and two.
01:04:08Left hand batter waits.
01:04:11Foul fly ball to right center.
01:04:13Number nine under this one.
01:04:15And puts the squeeze on it.
01:04:17That's out number two.
01:04:23Now batting.
01:04:25The shortstop, Ernie Banks.
01:04:29And up next for Chicago, Ernie Banks.
01:04:32Good contact guy.
01:04:33Good defender.
01:04:46And foul ball.
01:05:01Two down, nobody on.
01:05:05Now this manager knows that his players are just trying to do too much.
01:05:08Everybody needs to just take a deep breath, relax, and let it naturally happen.
01:05:17The pitch.
01:05:19And a count one and two.
01:05:34Cut on and miss.
01:05:35Struck him out.
01:05:37That's a third out.
01:05:38Nothing happening there for the Cubs.
01:05:41And they trail it here two to one.
01:05:57We're at the top of the eight.
01:05:58And stepping in is the speedy Barry Larkin.
01:06:05And here it comes.
01:06:09To right.
01:06:11Sosa racing over to make the catch.
01:06:15Now batting.
01:06:16The catcher, Johnny Bench.
01:06:19Johnny Bench digs in now.
01:06:33First pitch is in the dirt.
01:06:36Meanwhile, activity in the bullpen.
01:06:38Carrie Wood appears to be getting loose.
01:06:47Here comes the pitch.
01:06:51Tapped softly on the ground.
01:06:55Gets it to first.
01:06:56Two up, two down here at the top of the eighth.
01:07:02Now batting.
01:07:03The third baseman, Tony Perez.
01:07:07Two out, space is empty.
01:07:09And next will be the cleanup hitter, Tony Perez.
01:07:19First pitch, not close.
01:07:26Righty to the plate.
01:07:30Way high.
01:07:31When you get to this part of the order, yeah, there's some pop there.
01:07:34But more likely there's some base hits.
01:07:37So very important to be patient.
01:07:38Let the pitcher walk you, if he will.
01:07:52The two on.
01:07:57And he takes a strike.
01:08:07And down on strikes.
01:08:09And that is that.
01:08:11Nobody left for Cincinnati as they're unable to add to their 2-1 lead.
01:08:23Welcome back.
01:08:24Bottom of the eighth.
01:08:25And now for Chicago, Ryan Sanford.
01:08:36And a pitch.
01:08:38And first offering is fouled off.
01:08:53And the pitch is outside, ball one.
01:08:55The Cincinnati bullpen has some movement.
01:08:57A roll to Chapman.
01:08:59The left-hander is getting that big fastball.
01:09:01He's ready to go.
01:09:14The next pitch misses.
01:09:15And it's 2-1.
01:09:24And that one clips the corner.
01:09:34Looking to get the tying run on base.
01:09:37And that's outside.
01:09:51And a pitch.
01:09:53And so the lefty allows the leadoff free pass.
01:09:57Well, he's starting to look a little gassed to me.
01:09:59And we'll see if they go to the bullpen in this final night.
01:10:02There goes a skipper out of the dugout.
01:10:04And he's ready to make the move.
01:10:06Number zero is done.
01:10:07Only two hits allowed for him.
01:10:09So a great effort.
01:10:11And we'll be back after a quick break to tell you about the new off.
01:10:16New pitcher for the Reds, Clay Carroll.
01:10:19Trying to protect this lead.
01:10:23Walks out of the bullpen can absolutely kill your momentum.
01:10:26Very quickly there in some hot water trying to protect this lead.
01:10:31These home fans, they are making a lot of noise.
01:10:34Putting pressure on that pitcher out there.
01:10:38No outs.
01:10:39Runner at first.
01:10:40Now the Cubs catcher, Gabby Hartnett.
01:10:43Known for his rocket arm behind the plate.
01:10:48In there for strike one.
01:10:50With a single base runner because of all the power,
01:10:53they are dangerous to tie this thing up or take the lead.
01:11:01Next offering misses.
01:11:03And now it's even one and one.
01:11:07Sandberg gets his lead at first.
01:11:09Nobody out.
01:11:14Ground ball left side.
01:11:15Could be two to Morgan.
01:11:17And that is a rally killer.
01:11:20Two gone in the eight.
01:11:25Hey, they played the matchup right there.
01:11:26Worked out perfectly.
01:11:27Got the ground ball double play.
01:11:29And that changes the complexion of this inning entirely.
01:11:38Here's the third baseman, Ron Santo.
01:11:45First pitch doesn't find the zone.
01:12:03He makes the grab.
01:12:04And that is the inning.
01:12:08Back here at the friendly confines.
01:12:23All set to start the ninth in this one.
01:12:25And here's the first baseman, number 18.
01:12:28Number 18.
01:12:34And a pitch.
01:12:38And that one just misses.
01:12:40A ball and no strikes.
01:12:47Left-hand hitter waits.
01:12:52To account to a guy like this at the plate,
01:12:55you've got to throw a pitcher's pitch.
01:12:56Don't just try to get a strike.
01:12:58He could make you pay.
01:13:00Right-hander deals.
01:13:04Left field.
01:13:08Williams puts the squeeze on that one.
01:13:10And there's one down.
01:13:19Next to hit, Joey Votto.
01:13:21For the fourth time tonight.
01:13:31First offering misses badly for ball one.
01:13:34Crowd locked in right now.
01:13:36One run game here in the ninth.
01:13:41Next pitch downstairs.
01:13:42Ball two.
01:13:51And that one upstairs.
01:14:06On the ground, right side.
01:14:10Over to first.
01:14:11Two up, two down.
01:14:12Fastball grew right down the middle.
01:14:14Usually a lot of damage done with that pitch.
01:14:16A hard grounder, but he wanted to get that ball in the air.
01:14:18Maybe drive it into the gap.
01:14:21George Foster, the next to hit for the Reds.
01:14:25Really good piece of hitting last time.
01:14:27Going to the opposite field.
01:14:37This one popped up.
01:14:38Right side.
01:14:39Sandberg sizing this one up.
01:14:41Flashes the leather on the running dash.
01:14:44And that's the third hour.
01:14:45To the bottom of the ninth we go.
01:14:47Top of the order, two up.
01:14:49It's the Reds two and the Cubs one.
01:14:54So here comes the big lefty Aroldis Chapman to the mound.
01:14:59And he'll do his best to hang on to this lead.
01:15:11We head to the bottom of the ninth.
01:15:12And now the first baseman.
01:15:14This guy, a player that if he gets on base,
01:15:17has the ability to really be aggressive getting around the base paths.
01:15:24And a pitch.
01:15:27Ball one.
01:15:42Just missed.
01:15:44This is a real tough place for visiting teams to come in
01:15:47and close out ballgames for a win.
01:15:59Next pitch inside.
01:16:00Three and oh.
01:16:12Chapman now one run game.
01:16:15That's in for a strike.
01:16:21The pitch.
01:16:24Lifted in the air.
01:16:25Right field.
01:16:26Rose settles under this one.
01:16:28Makes the grab one away.
01:16:31You go ahead and count three-one.
01:16:33I think as a leadoff man that's got the ability to change the game with your speed,
01:16:37you want to really, really lock in on your pitch in that three-one count.
01:16:41And he hit a borderline pitch there.
01:16:43That's just adjustments you want to see a kid make.
01:16:45He didn't make it in that at bat.
01:16:53Ryan.
01:16:54The next hit takes high for ball one.
01:17:00The pitch.
01:17:03Swing and a ball popped up.
01:17:05And it falls.
01:17:07So a man aboard now with one away.
01:17:11Hey, whatever works, right?
01:17:12Doesn't have to be impressive.
01:17:13Totally tied up with that inside pitch.
01:17:16Got to it late and deep in the zone.
01:17:18But he got the bat on plain enough to fight it off the other way.
01:17:21And now they've got some speed on first.
01:17:23So we'll see if they try to get him into motion.
01:17:26He's two outs away.
01:17:28Sammy Sosa, the next cup to hit.
01:17:31That one's in there 0-1.
01:17:40Tying run is at first.
01:17:43Here the last half of inning number nine.
01:17:46Chapman keeping an eye on him.
01:17:58Kicks and fires.
01:18:00There's the strike.
01:18:01Don't play situation here.
01:18:02He's been working up in the zone.
01:18:04Typically you look for guys to get that ground ball.
01:18:06We'll see if he adjusts on this next pitch.
01:18:16The 0-2.
01:18:18Went too far that time.
01:18:20It's 1-2.
01:18:44And a foul ball.
01:18:45He stays alive.
01:18:55And now the lefty.
01:18:57And a swing and a miss.
01:18:59Now only one out remaining.
01:19:01It becomes pretty difficult as a teammate when a guy's struggling like this.
01:19:05You don't know if you want to go up and tell him to keep swinging at it
01:19:07or if you want to give him his space, what exactly he needs.
01:19:11Right now it's clearly a struggle for him.
01:19:13And you're just hoping that somehow, someway it'll click
01:19:16and he can get out of this as quickly as possible.
01:19:19Big spot here.
01:19:20Bottom of the ninth.
01:19:21Down to their final out.
01:19:23So now it's the Cubs hitter in the four hole, Hack Wilson.
01:19:27He has, as they like to say, light tower power.
01:19:31Not a big guy, but a big swing.
01:19:35And thunder in that bat.
01:19:39So now with one swing, this guy could end it.
01:19:58And a foul ball.
01:20:00Makes the count two and a one.
01:20:12In the air, left field.
01:20:16And he makes the catch.
01:20:18Ball game, and the Reds hold on to win a tight one
01:20:21as this one ends as a one run ball game.
01:20:24Phil, this is the perfect way to finish up a road trip,
01:20:27a sweep in this series before heading back home.
01:20:30This is a team that's got things rolling,
01:20:32and when you get it rolling on the road,
01:20:34you want to make sure when you go back home, you keep it rolling.
01:20:38I got to start cracking out the pressure.
01:20:55I'm hoping to stay gasped out.
01:21:00I got to start cracking out the pressure.
01:21:06That's how we got better.
01:21:28The final line score for our ball game tonight,
01:21:30for the victorious Cincinnati Reds.