Michael Conforto's Pinch-Hit Bomb Ends It in the Ninth, Cubs Steal One in the Rain
Chicago's Michael Conforto just delivered the kind of moment that makes you jump off the couch. Pinch-hitting for Matt Shaw with the game hanging in the balance, Conforto hammered a 3-2 fastball from Reds closer Emilio Pagan (2-1) deep into left-center field for a walk-off solo shot. Final score: Cubs 5, Reds 4. Just like that, the National League Central-leading Cubs grabbed their sixth straight win on a soaked Monday night at Wrigley Field.
Ninth-Inning Drama Under the Lights
The Cubs were trailing when the bottom of the ninth started, but they weren't done fighting. Pete Crow-Armstrong opened things up with a triple that nearly got swallowed by Reds center fielder Dane Myers. Myers had the ball in his glove as he crashed into the ivy and brick wall, but it fell loose and Crow-Armstrong raced to third. Pagan struck out Dansby Swanson next, but Nico Hoerner lofted a deep fly ball to left field that brought Crow-Armstrong home on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. That set the stage for Conforto's heroics.
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The Reds had built a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth when Spencer Steer singled to left, scoring pinch runner Blake Dunn from second. But Cincinnati couldn't close it out. Elly De La Cruz had three hits and Steer had two for the Reds, who dropped their fourth straight. Earlier, Ke'Bryan Hayes crushed a two-run homer and JJ Bleday went deep for a solo shot, staking Cincinnati to a 3-0 lead through four innings. The game got delayed 100 minutes due to weather, which only added to the drama. In the fourth, Seiya Suzuki answered back for the Cubs with a three-run bomb that cut it to 3-3. Ryan Rolison (2-0) was lights out in the top of the ninth, striking out all three batters he faced to set up Conforto's walk-off moment.
This one's going to stick in the minds of Reds fans for a while. Sometimes baseball breaks your heart in the ninth.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.