Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds deal Chicago Cubs first Cactus League loss
MESA, Arizona – The Cincinnati Reds (5-3-1) scored first and added on throughout the game to hand the Chicago Cubs (8-1-3) their first loss of the Cactus League season, 7-3, Sunday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers became the first Reds pitcher of the spring to complete three innings in a start, striking out three and allowing one run as a result of his lone walk.
Spiers walked Jon Berti leading off the second, and after a hit to center sent Berti to third, he scored on a one-out grounder to second by Travis Jankowski. Spiers retired the final six batters he faced.
He was so efficient during the 37-pitch outing that he finished his prescribed workload in the bullpen.
The Reds extended a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth when right fielder Jake Fraley and designated hitter Blake Dunn slugged back-to-back home runs to right and left, respectively, off right-hander Keegan Thompson with one out.
It was the first homer of the spring for each.
Fraley added a run-scoring single in the sixth, followed by Dunn beating out an infield hit.
Will Benson hit the third homer of the day with a solo shot in the ninth inning.
Cincinnati Reds catcher drove in the first run of the game with a two-out double into the left-field corner, then led off the sixth with a double off the center-field wall on one hop and later scored the Reds' sixth run – offering a glimpse into why manager Terry Francona said he'll look to use him as a DH when backup Jose Trevino starts behind the plate.
Stephenson is 3-for-11 with three walks this spring.
Veteran reliever Bryan Shaw, a favorite of Francona from his workhorse Cleveland days, struck out Miguel Amaya to start the fourth but couldn't get out of the inning as the Cubs rallied for a single, walk, double and walk following the Amaya out.
A shallow liner to right forced the runners to hold, but Shaw followed with a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch to Ian Happ and was pulled.
He has allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings across three outings this spring, striking out six and walking five (eight hits allowed).
The Cincinnati Reds play their first night game of the spring Monday, hosting the defending NL Central-champion Milwaukee Brewers at 8:05 p.m. (ET) at Goodyear Ballpark. LH Nick Lodolo vs. LH Aaron Ashby. It's also the first game of the spring televised by rebranded TV partner FanDuel Sports. It can be heard on WLW-700 radio.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds spring training: Reds hand Chicago Cubs 1st spring loss
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