That was so close to being a game that was not going to piss me off.
Yu Darvish pitched really well, but three of the four hits he gave up went out of the park. What can I say? He hung three pitches badly and the Reds didn’t miss them. It happens sometimes.
Offensively, the Cubs were stymied by Trevor Bauer and then the best pitchers in the Reds’ bullpen. That, too, happens sometimes.
I was ready to see the game end, and I was not going to be pissed off about it.
… except they had a chance, man. A really, really good chance.
Down 5-1 in the 8th, the Cubs loaded the bases, and then Anthony Rizzo got hit by a pitch to not only cut the lead to three, but bring Javy Baez to the plate with the bases loaded, nobody out, and the Cubs in prime position not only to tie the game but maybe turn it completely around. Baez smashed one to first on which Joey Votto made a nice play, Ian Happ struck out on three pitches, and Kyle Schwarber bounced the first pitch he saw for an easy groundout. Bases loaded, nobody out, tying run at first … and the Cubs scored none of those guys. Oof. Ouch. Angry.