Cubs Recap: Taylor Teagarden delivers in ninth against Reds

The Chicago Cubs salvaged the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds after Taylor Teagarden delivered late against Aroldis Chapman.

Facing down against one of the best closers in the game, the Cubs catcher squared up an 0-1, 101 mph fastball from the Cincinnati left-hander, dropping it into center field to put Chicago ahead for good.

Cincinnati (42-51) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead against Cubs spot-starter Dallas Beeler, who was clearly off-point on Wednesday, surrendering five runs – three earned – in just two innings of work.

In the five-run second, the Reds sent 10 batters to the dish against the Chicago right-hander. The frame was capped by an RBI single by Ivan De Jesus Jr. and a two-run double by Billy Hamilton – who went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in for the Reds.

Chicago (51-43) answered right back, though, scoring five runs of their own in the top of the third.

Starlin Castro, who made an error in the Reds’ five-run frame, accounted for it, slapping his ninth double of the year to score Jonathan Herrera. A two-run double by Chris Denorfia made it 5-3 Cincinnati, setting up the stage for pinch-hitter Kris Bryant.

The young Cubs star came through in the clutch, as Joe Maddon called his counterpart’s bluff – opting to pull his starter after just two in lieu of the pinch-hitter. Bryant took the 3-2, two-out pitch from Tony Cingrani and pulled it into left field, tying the game at five.

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Cingrani didn’t factor into the decision, but was charged with five runs on six hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work – on an evening when neither team’s starter had much to boast of.

Addison Russell, Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rizzo all collected a pair of hits in the win, while Bryant drove in a pair and stole two bags.

Out of the bullpen, Travis Wood was stellar, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless frames. Rafael Soriano, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon all added run-free innings in relief, as well, before Jason Motte nailed things down for his sixth save of the year.

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