RC+ Recap: Here we are

The Reds entered this 4-game series trailing the first-place Cubs by 7 games. They’d won a few recent series and swept the LA Angels earlier this week. But they really, really needed to gain ground this weekend. That meant winning at least three of the four games. 48 hours ago, that didn’t seem likely. The Cubs pounded Reds pitching and won the opening game by the score of 12-5.

Yet, here we are.

The Reds won 10-1 tonight. Take yer’ pick on the headline. Maybe it was the outstanding starting pitching by Trevor Bauer last night and Sonny Gray tonight. Over 13 innings, the pair held the Cubs to 1 run and 5 hits while striking out 18 batters. Or maybe you could point to the offense, which put up 15 runs. The Reds hit three homers last night and six tonight. No one could argue with putting the spotlight on Aristides Aquino, who followed up his Superman performance last night with three more home runs tonight. Aquino wears #44, by the way, same as Eric Davis.

Here we are.

Tomorrow afternoon, Luis Castillo takes the mound against Jon Lester. When you see Bauer and Gray followed by Castillo in a big series, you’re reminded that the Reds Got The Pitching. Even better, the Reds didn’t have to use their three top relievers tonight.

A few quick notes:

• The Reds are 9-6 this season against the Cubs
• Other Reds homers tonight: Eugenio Suarez (#32), Nick Senzel (#9) and Kyle Farmer (#7)
• Aquino’s third home run traveled 452 feet
• Jose Peraza had three hits
• Tonight’s defeat was so thorough that Joe Maddon replaced his best players before the end of the 5th inning
• After Aquino’s third home run, the Reds win probability was 99.4%
• Joey Votto doubled in the first inning, giving him the most hits of any player in GABP, passing Brandon Phillips
• Jesse Winker made a terrific diving catch on a ball hooking away from him, saving an extra-base hit and runs
• Sonny Gray no-hit the Cubs through 4 innings, he has a 13-inning scoreless streak
• Sal Romano earned a Save by finishing the game with three innings of relief
• Brian O’Grady got his first major league hit
• The Cubs have a pitcher on their roster who throws in the 60s and isn’t a position player

Now, Aquino fan service:

ONE

Aristides Aquino belts his fifth homer in his first ten games as a Red, a new franchise record ‼️#BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/F484QTCQb9

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 10, 2019

TWO

Please don't report our tweets for spam… ?#ThePunisher | #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/FC464YEzfx

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 11, 2019

THREE

THIS. IS. REAL. LIFE. #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/0xC4TVVqjK

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 11, 2019

Aristides Aquino homered in the second, third, and fourth innings versus the Cubs on Saturday, becoming the first player in @Reds history, as well as the first rookie player on any @MLB team, to hit a home run in three consecutive innings within a single game. #BornToBaseball

— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) August 11, 2019

? Ties MLB record for most home runs (7) in first 10 career games

? First rookie to hit a homer in three consecutive innings

? 2nd player in MLB history with a 3-HR game within his first 10 career games

An unforgettable night for @Aristide_Aquino! #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/dXD42DptA5

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 11, 2019

https://twitter.com/ericdroseberry/status/1160352673545240579

Donnie Ecker, assistant hitting coach, worked with him in spring training. Some of credit has to go to Leon Durham, the hitting coach at Louisville and pride of Woodward High. https://t.co/1cRJeD7byl

— John Fay (@johnfayman) August 11, 2019

Win tomorrow and the Reds will be five games out of FIRST PLACE in the NL Central.

Here we are.

Reds Most Valuable Players