CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cubs suffered through a quiet offensive night Monday, then they received a pair of ejections they didn’t think were warranted late in the game as frustrations boiled over.
Cincinnati starter Carson Spiers allowed one hit in five scoreless innings in his return from the injured list, and the Reds homered three times in a 7-1 victory over the Cubs at Great American Ballpark.
Cubs reliever Nate Pearson — making his first appearance for Chicago after coming over in a trade with the Blue Jays — and manager Craig Counsell were ejected in the eighth inning after Pearson hit Tyler Stephenson in the helmet, one pitch after he allowed a homer to Jeimer Candelario. Stephenson took exception to the beaning while being partially restrained by catcher Miguel Amaya.
Stephenson remained in the game.
“It is scary,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s fine, thankfully.”
Pearson was ejected following a discussion by the umpires, and Counsell was tossed after he came out to argue, insisting Pearson had no intent to hit Stephenson.
“Guys getting hit in the head is not good, not good at all, (whether it’s) their team, our team,” Counsell said. “There’s just no intent there.”
The Cubs, who also acquired All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes from the Tampa Bay Rays while sending out Christopher Morel and pitchers Hunter Bigge and Ty Johnson, were looking to continue some positive momentum leading up to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. MLB trade deadline.
Chicago had taken two of three from the Royals in Kansas City over the weekend but couldn’t make it three straight Monday night, falling a game behind the Reds for last place in the National League Central and now six games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.
The Cubs and Reds continue their three-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Reds get to Taillon
In Monday’s series opener, TJ Friedl hit a three-run homer for the Reds and Will Benson hit a two-run shot, his career-best 12th of the season. Both came against Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-6), a possible trade target for contending clubs, who allowed a season-high six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. His ERA rose from 2.96 to 3.35.
“There’s been a little bit of noise and stuff,” Taillon said. “I’m human, and I’m aware of it. At the same time, I did all my normal work, and when you’re out there, it’s the last thing you think about when you’re between the lines.”
Ian Happ’s first-inning single was the Cubs’ only hit off Spiers (4-2), who retired his final 12 batters in his first start since July 12. He had been sidelined with a right shoulder impingement. Spiers threw 68 pitches.
“His first time back, we were looking at 50 to 60 pitches, maybe,” Bell said. “He went above and beyond that. It’s good to know Carson’s healthy.”
Friedl’s homer in the fifth made it 6-0. It was his first longball since June 14 after he missed 25 games with a right hamstring strain.
“Homers with runners on base can be the factor that wins or loses games,” Taillon said. “Made a couple bad pitches that I paid for. That kind of did us in.”
Four Reds relievers finished a three-hitter. Chicago’s Michael Busch homered off Buck Farmer in the ninth.
“We didn’t swing the bats well tonight,” Counsell said. “When we hit the ball hard, their outfielders made some nice plays.”
Trainer’s room
Cubs: RHP Adbert Alzolay (right flexor strain) didn’t recover well from his start on Tuesday and will return to Chicago to be evaluated by doctors.
Up next
Left-hander Justin Steele (2-4, 3.08 ERA) goes for the Cubs on Tuesday. The Reds had not announced a starter to take the spot of Frankie Montas, who was traded to Milwaukee late Monday
First pitch at Great American Ballpark is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.