Ben Brown stars as the Cubs blank the Reds 2-0 for a 1-hit shutout
CHICAGO (AP) — Drew Pomeranz, Ben Brown, Brad Keller and Daniel Palencia combined on a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Saturday.
Chicago used Pomeranz as an opener in front of Brown, and the strategy worked on a cool, blustery afternoon at Wrigley Field. Pomeranz pitched a 1-2-3 first before Brown struck out nine in six dominant innings for the NL Central leaders.
The Cubs scored their two runs in the eighth. Seiya Suzuki's flyball to right off Graham Ashcraft (3-4) was misplayed by Will Benson, and it landed in fair territory for an RBI double. Dansby Swanson drove in Kyle Tucker when he beat out a grounder to shortstop Elly De La Cruz for a two-out infield single.
Keller (2-0) worked the eighth and Palencia handled the ninth for his fifth save. It was Chicago's sixth shutout of the season.
Cincinnati wasted a sharp performance by Nick Lodolo, who pitched six innings of five-hit ball.
The 6-foot-6 Brown retired 14 of his first 15 batters before TJ Friedl singled with two out in the sixth for Cincinnati's only hit of the game.
Brown had a 9.90 ERA in the first inning over his first 10 starts of the season. He was tagged for eight runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings in his previous start Sunday at Cincinnati.
Key moment
Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong robbed Friedl with an impressive diving catch for the second out of the ninth.
Key stat
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
It was Pomeranz's first start since Aug. 7, 2019, for Milwaukee at Pittsburgh. The left-hander has pitched 13 2/3 scoreless innings in 15 appearances since he was acquired in an April trade with Seattle.
Up next
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (3-5, 3.48 ERA) and Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (4-3, 3.86 ERA) take the mound on Sunday for the series finale.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
37 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tarik Skubal stars as the Tigers top the Cubs 3-1 in a matchup of division leaders
DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning, and Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday night in the opener of a weekend series between two of the majors' best teams. Skubal (6-2) allowed eight hits, struck out six and walked none in 7 2/3 innings. In his past 11 starts, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 6-0 with a 1.61 ERA, 95 strikeouts and three walks. Skubal left with runners on the corners, then had to wait out a dramatic moment. Seiya Suzuki lifted a deep flyball to right off Will Vest, but Kerry Carpenter reached above the wall to keep Detroit in front. Vest got four outs for his 10th save. Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (3-4) permitted two runs and seven hits in seven innings. Spencer Torkelson and Jahmai Jones homered for the AL Central-leading Tigers. The Tigers jumped in front in the fifth on an RBI single by Gleyber Torres, but the NL Central-leading Cubs responded with Kyle Tucker's run-scoring double in the sixth. That ended Skubal's scoreless streak at 20 innings, matching his career high. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Torkelson made it 2-1 when he connected for his 15th homer in the bottom half. Jones went deep in the eighth in his Tigers debut, belting a pinch-hit drive off Génesis Cabrera. The game, attended by a large contingent of Cubs fans, drew a crowd of 40,132 for the third sellout at Comerica Park this season.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
De La Cruz out of Reds' lineup against Arizona after flight from Dominican Republic canceled
CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz will not be in the lineup for Cincinnati's series opener against Arizona on Friday night after his flight from the Dominican Republic, where he was mourning the death of his older sister, was canceled. The 23-year-old De La Cruz returned to the Dominican after Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He was not placed on the bereavement list and was expected to be back in Cincinnati late Friday. 'He was actually trying to get here in time for the game, but one of his flights got canceled, so he's getting here later,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. The Reds got a boost to the lineup Friday when first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. He had been on the IL since April 17 due to back inflammation. Second baseman Matt McLain moved to short in place of De La Cruz, and Garrett Hampson was set to play second base against the Diamondbacks. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Athletics' Shea Langeliers placed on 10-day injured list with strained oblique
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics placed catcher Shea Langeliers on the 10-day injured list Friday with a strained left oblique. He got hurt during Thursday's 14-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins, grabbing his left side during an at-bat in the sixth inning. The A's called up catcher Jhonny Pereda and outfielder Seth Brown from Triple-A Las Vegas and designated outfielder Drew Avans for assignment. Langeliers is batting .237 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs, but he has been in a slump with a .172 average over his past 18 games. Pereda and Brown were on the A's opening-day roster, but both struggled at the plate and were sent to Las Vegas. Pereda hit .346 with the Triple-A club and Brown batted .500 with seven homers and 13 RBIs in nine games. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP MLB:
