Reds rally late, but fall in extras on walk-off HR

CHICAGO -- Raisel Iglesias (El Ciclon) left a two-strike hanging slider for David Bote (Boat), who crushed his second career walk-off home run on Friday as the Reds fell to the Cubs, 3-2, in the 10th inning at Wrigley Field to open Players' Weekend.
Eugenio Suárez (Nicolle) extended the game when he led off the ninth inning with a homer to tie the score at 2. Closer Pedro Strop (Stropy) left a cutter over the middle of the plate, and Suarez launched it 382 feet, according to Statcast™.
:: Players' Weekend presented by Valspar Stain ::
• Shop Players' Weekend Reds gear
Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman had thought Suarez's team-leading 29th homer "absolutely" gave Cincinnati the momentum it needed to pull off the win in extras.
"It felt like, 'OK, we scratched one across here,'" Riggleman said.

The inning before, Daniel Murphy (Murph) turned on a first-pitch fastball from Jared Hughes (Robot) for his first home run as a Cub to put Chicago ahead, 2-1.

Reds starter Matt Harvey (Harv) faced the minimum through the first five innings, with the only two baserunners reaching on Alec Mills' (Millsy) first Major League hit and Javier Báez's (El Mago) 12th unintentional walk this season. Mills was erased on an inning-ending double play in the third and Baez was caught stealing to end the fourth.
Harvey was in an odd situation as he prepared for Friday's start after being claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Wednesday. The Reds had 48 hours to trade him, otherwise he remained on their roster. Harvey didn't know for sure if he would actually pitch until about an hour before the game began.
"I thought if there were going to be any effects from all that, it would come in the first or second inning," Riggleman said. "He's a pro."

The Cubs finally got to Harvey in the sixth when Baez roped a bases-loaded, one-out RBI single to right field to tie the game at 1. The Reds called on Cody Reed (Goggles) to relieve Harvey, who finished the day allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six.
"This is a tough lineup," Harvey said. "You really have to stay on your game and stay focused. Obviously, through five, I was able to do that. In the sixth, things kind of fell apart.
"That's a good team. We played right with them. All and all, it was a good game."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Southpaw Reed took over for Harvey in a tough situation. With the game tied at 1 and the bases loaded with one out, left-handed-hitting Anthony Rizzo (Tony) came to the plate. Rizzo tapped the seventh pitch of the at-bat back to Reed, who threw home to start a 1-2-3 inning-ending double play. First-base umpire Ben May originally called Rizzo safe, signaling that first baseman Brandon Dixon (B Dix) pulled his foot off the bag. After the Reds challenged the call, it was overturned and Rizzo was out.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Second baseman Scooter Gennett (Dal3) went all out with his Players' Weekend nickname and apparel as he honored one of his favorite athletes, the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. More >

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
Mason Williams' (Mase) double to lead off the second was initially called a home run. Following a crew-chief review, it was determined that the ball ricocheted off a rod supporting the basket, which is considered in play at Wrigley Field. Williams was sent to second on what was ruled a double, and he later scored on Phillip Ervin's (Magic) double.
"If it hits anything else, I think it's a homer," Riggleman said. "It didn't change things. We scored that one, but I've never seen it hit the pole like that." More >

UP NEXT
Right-hander Luis Castillo (La Piedra) will start for the Reds on Saturday, looking to continue his recent success. Since the start of July, Castillo has a 2.96 ERA in his last eight outings. Lefty José Quintana (Lelo) will pitch for the Cubs, with the game set for 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.