Ian Happened, Cincinnati Reds did not in another bad loss to the Cubs

Ian Happ doubled in a pair of runs in Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, a game where he didn’t even get the start. Then, he homered in Tuesday’s game against them in GABP, and followed that up with a homer in today’s 7-1 win for the Chicago Cubs against the Reds, too.

This tweet from our friends at Cespedes Family BBQ sums it up:

Happ was one of a trio of Cubs hitters to homer off Reds pitching on the day, with starter Tyler Mahle struggling early en route to 5 ER in 5 IP to break his string of excellent starts. Jeff Hoffman later served up a tater, too, though when the offense was as quiet as it was on the day, there wasn’t anything short of excellence that would’ve salvaged this rubber match.

Instead, the rag-tag Cubs roster post-deadline managed to come into GABP and steal the damn series from the Reds while they attempt to claw their way into one of the final playoff spots in the National League race.

Reds lost, 7-1.

Tony Graphanino

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Tyler Naquin socked a solo homer to get the Reds their lone run of the game, and he later added an infield single, too. He’s strung together a career-best 8 game hit streak at a time the Cincinnati outfield has been banged up and/or struggling, and hopefully that good timing continues while Jesse Winker (and Nick Senzel, for that matter) are on the sidelines.

Honorable Mentions are due to Joey Votto, who smoked another ball into the stands in this one, albeit via a ground rule double instead of his usual dinger; and Jose Barrero, who singled, doubled, and made a damn nifty play at shortstop, where he should be for a very, very long time.

Other Notes

• Tyler Mahle has now allowed 17 homers in 12 GABP starts this season. He’s yielded just 3 in 13 starts on the road this year. His final line today: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 K on 99 pitches.
• 29 year old Adrian Sampson was the Cubs starter today, and he entered with a career 5.71 ERA in 153 big league IP (none of which had come with the Cubs). He had a 4.96 ERA and 1.53 FIP for AAA Iowa in 81.2 IP this season prior to being called up today. Naturally, he destroyed the Reds offense, because of course he did.
• Tomorrow will see Luis Castillo take the bump against the Miami Marlins, one of his former clubs. Miami has yet to announce a starter for said game that will open a 4-game weekend series, but Thursday’s first pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET.
• Tunes I have never listened to before but had a topical title.