Cubs 9 - Reds 1 (9/20/2026): Crow-Armstrong Shines with Homer, Three Hits

The Chicago Cubs secured a decisive victory over the Cincinnati Reds with a 9–1 scoreline at Great American Ball Park. This win improves the Cubs' record to 86-69, solidifying their second-place standing in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Reds dropped to 72-83, positioned fifth in the same division.

Commanding Performance by the Cubs

The Cubs' offense set the tone early, scoring in the first inning and continuing to pile on with a four-run third inning. Leading the charge was Pete Crow-Armstrong, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. The Cubs showcased power with home runs from Michael Conforto, Seiya Suzuki, and Crow-Armstrong.

Seiya Suzuki contributed significantly, going 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Alex Bregman also made his presence felt, reaching base twice with a hit and a walk, and driving in a run. Pedro Ramírez added to the Cubs' offensive success with three hits and two RBIs from his five at-bats.

On the pitching side, David Peterson delivered an impressive performance for the Cubs. He pitched six innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven Reds' batters. Peterson's strong outing earned him his eighth win of the season, bringing his ERA to 5.11.

The Cubs' bullpen maintained the lead, with Caleb Thielbar, Edward Cabrera, and Colin Rea combining for three scoreless innings. Each reliever successfully kept the Reds' bats at bay, allowing just one additional hit over the final innings of the game.

Reds Struggle to Find Momentum

Rhett Lowder had a challenging start for the Reds, allowing five runs over three innings while surrendering six hits. The Cubs took advantage of his struggles, marking him with his 11th loss of the season, raising his ERA to 5.79. The Reds' bullpen attempted to stem the tide, but Connor Spiers gave up four more runs in four innings, including three homers.

Offensively, the Reds managed to score their sole run in the fourth inning, courtesy of a solo home run by JJ Bleday. Bleday's blast was one of the few highlights for the Reds, who managed only four hits throughout the game. Elly De La Cruz was the only other bright spot, going 1-for-4 in the contest.

Despite the loss, the Reds' defense held steady, not committing any errors during the game. However, they struggled to capitalize on offensive opportunities, ultimately falling short against the Cubs' pitching.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Cubs continue their pursuit of a playoff spot as they return home to Wrigley Field to face the Miami Marlins in their next series. Manager Craig Counsell will look to maintain their momentum and secure their position in the NL Central standings.

The Reds, under the guidance of Terry Francona, will head out for a road series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. This series presents an opportunity for the Reds to regain some confidence and finish the season on a positive note.

Both teams will aim to improve their divisional records as the regular season winds down. The Cubs hold a 25-26 record within the division, while the Reds have struggled with a 19-32 mark against divisional opponents.

The Cubs' hitting and pitching rankings reflect their strong season performance. With a sixth-ranked batting average and first in slugging percentage, they remain a formidable challenge for opposing teams. On the pitching front, their focus will be on improving their 16th-ranked ERA.

The Reds, meanwhile, will seek to enhance their offensive output, ranked 21st in batting average and 20th in on-base percentage. Their pitching staff aims to lower their 27th-ranked ERA as they face their upcoming opponents.