The Cubs traveled to Great American Ball Park to take on the Reds Friday night. Chicago fell into an early hole before a four home run eruption led them to a huge victory in the series opener.
Matthew Boyd ran into all kinds of trouble in the bottom of the 1st inning with the first six hitters reaching base. RBI singles by Santiago Espinal and Austin Hays were followed by a Spencer Steer double to put Cincinnati in front 3-0.
Boyd used a double play to escape further damage in that frame, but a wild pitch allowed Hays to score from third and increase the Reds’ lead to 4-0 in the 3rd.