Mesoraco hits slam in ninth, Cubs lose heartbreaker to Reds 6-1

After battling back on an Anthony Rizzo solo home run in the sixth to tie the game, the Chicago Cubs (31-43) watched Hector Rondon implode in a non-save situation, allowing a grand-slam to Devin Mesoraco in the ninth as the Cincinnati Reds (38-37) pulled away for a 6-1 victory.

Jeff Samardzija once again would not factor in the decision, as he pitched six innings of one run ball, but could only watch as the offense could muster no more and the bullpen lost the game in the ninth.

Billy Hamilton started the game with a double on a deflection of the glove of Darwin Barney. Todd Frazier would follow with and RBI triple and the Reds were quickly on the board. Samardzija would only allow two hits after that before exiting after the sixth.

The Cubs offense couldn’t catch any breaks, as the third inning showed. Barney double into left, as the ball rolled to the ivy. It appeared the Ryan Ludwick began to reach into the ivy before putting his hands up to call for a ground rule double. Barney was rounding third as the call was made. Barney was sent back to second, and the double was wasted.

In the fourth, a leadoff single from Rizzo, followed by a Starlin Castro double had the Cubs in prime position to score. But with two on and no one out, the Cubs went down in order to end the threat.

Alfredo Simon pitched well for the Reds, going seven innings allowing only the Rizzo home run, as he did not factor in the decision either. Jonathan Broxton (3-0, 0.74) pitched a perfect eighth to pick up the win in relief.

A two-out bloop single by Chris Heisey would start the rally that didn’t look like much at first. Billy Hamilton then singled on a ball defected by Castro, and Heisey came around to score for the 2-1 lead.

Rondon, attempting to do damage control, allowed a single to Todd Frazier and a walk to Joey Votto before allowing the grand slam to Mesoraco that put the game out of reach for the Cubs.

After a fine stretch of baseball, the loss puts the Cubs losing streak at three. The Cubs will look to rebound tomorrow as Jake Arrieta (3-1, 1.98) takes to the mound to battle Homer Bailey (7-3, 4.68) in a 7:05 pm CT contest. The game can be seen on CSN, and will be broadcast on WGN 720.