Chicago Cubs rally late to top Reds in finale, 7-4
![Oct 2, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (left) in the dugout during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F10-2F9586229-joe-maddon-mlb-chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-742x560-036aea7495488f87fa1f13f611d4a50b.jpg)
61. 7. 9. Final. 4
The Chicago Cubs “B” team rallies in the ninth to send the Reds fans home disappointed. Trailing entering the ninth, the Cubs scored for to win 7-4.
For the Chicago Cubs, there’s no quit. Even in a game that essentially meant nothing the Cubs didn’t give up. A Matt Szczur double scored two to give them the lead before Miguel Montero added on with a two-run home run. Carl Edwards Jr. shut the Cincinnati Reds down in the ninth for the save.
Kyle Hendricks didn’t factor in the decision as he allowed four runs in five innings, but will still claim the ERA title in the NL. The Cubs (103-58) starter gave up three runs in the first before settling into a groove. The early runs prevented Hendricks from becoming just the sixth starter to finish with a sub-2.00 ERA in the last 20 years. He ends the year with a 2.13 ERA.
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With most of the starters exiting the game by the fifth inning, it was up to the reserves to rally the Cubs. After an Albert Almora walk, Muenori Kawasaki singled to put the tying run in scoring position. Szczur put up a solid at-bat, eventually chopping one down the right field line. Both runners scored to put the Cubs on top 5-4.
Miguel Montero then hit a two-run home run off Raisel Iglesias (3-2, 2.53) to help cushion the Cubs lead. With Joe Maddon set to decide the NLDS rosters soon, several players gave him something to think about in the final regular season game. Justin Grimm (2-1, 4.10) picked up the win while recording just one out in the game
Next: Getting to enjoy the final game of the year
The Cubs will await the winner of the NL Wild Card game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants. Game one of the NLDS will begin on Friday night at Wrigley Field.