Enhanced Box Score: Reds 3, Cubs 2 – August 4, 2025

What in the hell was that? What a brutal game. The Cubs got a HUGE break early on, when rolling Reds starter Nick Lodolo had to leave with a blister, but after that absolutely nothing went their way. There were two swinging bunt singles for the Reds, one of which led to a key run. There was a check-swing RBI double down the line. CB Bucknor missed a critical (and CLEAR) strike call that would’ve prevented the Reds from taking the lead. Dansby Swanson missed first base on what had initially been ruled as the game-tying RBI single. After review, Dansby Swanson missed first base as he hustled to beat the out. Cubs trail by one in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/tBGlI2G1aW— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 5, 2025 Oh, and of course, Mike Soroka, the ONE starting pitcher the Cubs added at the trade deadline, left tonight’s start with right shoulder soreness. But I think the most confusing (and frustrating) part of the night came in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the Cubs down a run, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was supposed to be getting the night off after a really brutal stretch of strikeouts, was hit by a pitch. And although you never want to see him hunch over in pain, the ball did seem to get him on the elbow pad, setting up a perfect opportunity for the top of the Cubs order to tie the game – if not with their bats, then with PCA’s legs. But PCA surprisngly never took off for second base and was promptly doubled up off first on Nico Hoerner’s lineout. After that, Kyle Tucker struck out swinging, ending what looked like a very real threat with no stress at all. Setting all of that aside for a moment, I will give the Ankin Law “Making it Personal” Player of the Game honors to Ben Brown, who was quite brilliant, especially after being thrust into what amounted to a start at the very last second: 4.0 IP, 2H, 1ER, 0BB, 5K. And if it weren’t for the aforementioned swinging bunt single and check-swing RBI double (which also featued Ian Happ misplaying the ball, by the way), he would’ve probably been able to turn in another inning, if not at least leave the game without having allowed a run. Tonight, Brown had his velocity, he had his command, and he even broke out some useful changeups. It was a good game for him, and that may ultimately matter a lot more than we’d wish, given the news of Soroka’s injury. But we’re not leaving it on a high note, because this team doesn’t really deserve that right now. They look so flat. The offense is completely nonexistent. I mean, seriously, just look at how the game played out tonight … a night when the Reds starter was pulled unexpectedly after 1.2 innings. What is this? 1st inning: Cubs go down 1-2-3 2nd inning: Cubs go down 1-2-3 3rd inning: Cubs go single, homer … then 1-2-3 4th inning: Cubs down 1-2-3 5th inning: Cubs go down 1-2-3 6th inning: Cubs go 1-2-walk-walk-3 7th inning: Cubs go single … 1-2-3 8th inning: Cubs go HBP, double-play, strikeout (effectively 1-2-3) 9th inning: Cubs go down 1-2-3 Disgusting display. Oh, the Brewers won again tonight, by the way. Full Box Score.