The Reds had plenty of opportunities to score this evening in Game One of the doubleheader, but failed to come through at the plate with runners in scoring position. Yu Darvish was continuously able to wiggle his way out of contentious situation on his way to earning his sixth win in as many starts. The Reds would leave 10 runners on base, including nine in the second through fifth innings alone, as they fell to the Cubs 3-0.

Yu Darvish's past six starts: 0.92 ERA, .209/.257/.273 opponents' slash, 47 K, 7 BB, 39 IP.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 29, 2020

The Cubs jumped on the board in the top of the second inning as a leadoff walk to Kyle Schwarber came back to haunt Red’s starter Trevor Bauer. After the walk, Schwarber was moved to third on a Wilson Contreras single. Bauer then got Jason Heyward to ground into a fielder’s choice, but Schwarber scored on the play. He would get out of the inning with allowing just the one run and stranding two Cubs on the bases.

Despite seeing his pitch count score to an eventual season-high of 112, Bauer settled in after the second inning relatively well. He allowed a pair of solo Home Runs to Anthony Rizzo in the third and fifth innings, but retired eight consecutive Chicago batters in between.

Bauer finished the game allowing three runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work while striking out five. His five strikeouts increased his season total to 54 which passes Sonny Gray (51) for the most in Reds franchise history in a pitcher’s first six starts of a season. It was Bauer’s second straight loss and he now sits at 3-2 on the season with an ERA of 2.13. Bauer had thrown complete game shutouts in each of his seven inning starts so far this year.

Yu Darvish was excellent on the mound for the Cubs once again. Now sporting the third lowest Earned Run Average in Major League Baseball at 1.47, Darvish has won his last six starts. Tonight, he threw six shutout innings allowing seven hits and striking out eight.

Cincinnati fell to 14-18 on the season after just their second seven inning game loss in seven chances to snap their three game winning streak. Conversely, the Cubs snapped a three game losing streak to improve to 19-13. These two teams will turn right around and play again this evening as Tejay Antone and Alec Mills face off in Game Two of the doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. Eastern Time at Great American Ball Park.

Votto Bounces Back After Time Off

For the first time since winning the First Base job all the way back in 2008, Joey Votto has sat for three straight games due to performance reasons. The future Hall of Famer entered tonight’s game 0 for his last 18, the second worst streak of his career, and was coming off a four strikeout game in his last appearance.

In Game One of this evening’s doubleheader, Votto went 2-4 with a Double to snap his hitless streak.

Anthony Rizzo, Reds Killer

The 18th career multi-HR game for @ARizzo44! #TeamRizzo pic.twitter.com/XLd7ovgxjw

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 29, 2020

Chicago Cubs First Baseman Anthony Rizzo sent two solo Home Runs into the seats off of Trevor Bauer this evening to bring his season total to eight long balls. Rizzo has hit three Home Runs already this series as he also had a solo shot last night. Rizzo has now hit safely in six straight games for the Cubbies. The two Home Run performance was the 18th multi-HR game of the three time All-Star’s career.

@BRamseyKSR