Michael Conforto's Walk-Off Homer Extends Cubs' Streak to 7 Straight While Reds Keep Collapsing

The Chicago Cubs are on an absolute tear right now, and they just added another dramatic chapter to their story. Michael Conforto, pinch-hitting for Matt Shaw, crushed a 3-2 fastball from Reds closer Emilio Pagan into left-center field in the bottom of the ninth on Monday night to walk off a 5-4 win. It was Conforto's first home run in a Cubs uniform and his first walk-off blast in his 12-year major league career. The Cubs now carry a majors-best seven-game winning streak into Tuesday's rematch against Cincinnati, who has lost four straight.

Chicago Is Clicking in Every Way That Matters

The Cubs are 12 straight wins at Wrigley Field, their longest home streak since 2008 when they won 14 in a row. They're also 16 wins in their last 19 games overall. Manager Craig Counsell told the Chicago Sun-Times what it all means: "It tells me everyone is playing well. It also tells me we haven't played too many games in the division yet." The Cubs are sitting in first place in the National League Central, and get this, every single team in that division is above .500. That's remarkable balance.

Tuesday night, Chicago will send right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-1, 4.41 ERA) to the mound. Last Wednesday against San Diego, Taillon went seven innings allowing three runs on three hits in a 5-4 victory. He's 7-7 with a 4.46 ERA in 20 career appearances against the Reds.

Cincinnati Can't Catch a Break in Close Games

The Reds called up top-10 prospect Chase Petty on Monday, and he threw 5 2/3 innings allowing three runs on four hits. Petty retired nine of the first 11 Cubs he faced and then eight more in a row after giving up a home run to Seiya Suzuki. But with Nick Lodolo expected to come off the injured list from a blister on Friday, Petty might be headed back to Triple-A.

Cincinnati will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott (1-2, 5.97 ERA) on Tuesday. Abbott earned his first win of the season on Thursday against Colorado, a 6-4 decision where he allowed two earned runs on five hits in six innings. He's 3-1 with a 2.56 ERA in seven career starts against Chicago.

The Reds have played 14 games decided by two or fewer runs this season. They had a 12-game winning streak in those tight games but have lost their last two by one run. They have seven wins in one-run games. After Monday's loss, closer Emilio Pagan told The Cincinnati Enquirer: "Nothing's changed as far as our mindset as a team. We know we're really good. We've played a lot of close ballgames, and quite honestly I haven't held up my end of the bargain."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.