Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/30/20): Cubs 10, Reds 1 – Cubs Outfielders Go Yard Six Times(!) in Big Win

After a tough walk-off loss Saturday, the Cubs bounced back in a big way Sunday in Cincinnati. The day would have all been fun and homers if not for a potentially big impact injury on the mound.

Tyler Chatwood looked good early, breezing through the first two innings. With one out in the 3rd, Chatwood bounced two pitches well in front of Joey Votto and signaled for the trainer. He left the game with right elbow discomfort.

The Cubs got to Reds starter Luis Castillo in the 4th inning. Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward each hit solo homers to give the road team a 2-0 lead. Ian Happ blasted a two-run shot in the 5th and doubled the lead.

Jose Quintana entered the game in the 4th and was sharp again, allowing one run in three innings. Heyward and Happ each added solo jacks to stake the Cubs to a 6-1 edge.

Schwarber added an exclamation point in the 9th crunching his second homer, a grand slam, to make it a 10-1 rout. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

Any time a team hits six home runs in a game you feel pretty good about their chances to win that day.

Key Moment

The Reds drew three walks from Ryan Tepera to load the bases in the 7th. Despite their being down 6-1 things got tense with Nicholas Castellanos at the plate. The ex-Cub smashed a line drive that second baseman Nico Hoerner dove and caught to end the threat.

Stats That Matter

• Quintana will likely replace Chatwood in the rotation and he looked good Sunday: 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 6 K, and 1 BB.
• This is the first time in MLB history a team’s entire starting outfield each hit multiple home runs.
• Heyward has been red-hot since July, this is the best he’s looked as a Cub and he’s currently slashing a healthy .286/.402/.560 with a 157 wRC+. Impressive.

Bottom Line

The Cubs did what they needed to do and earned a series split to keep the Reds 5 games back. Chatwood’s injury is a real bummer, he had started the season so well before recent struggles and hopefully it isn’t serious.

On Deck

The Cubs get Monday off before heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates for three starting Tuesday at 6:05 pm CT. Jon Lester battles Chad Kuhl in a game airing on Marquee.