CHICAGO — Amid preseason talk about the Reds rebuilding and coming off a 100-loss season, little consideration was given to the idea that they could hunt down the National League Central this year.
However, here they are. Rebuilding … and fighting?
Sunday’s 8-5 win over the Cubs completed a three-game sweep in which Cincinnati hitters scored 25 runs on 45 hits. It was their first series sweep at Wrigley Field since August 12-14, 2013. Although five games under .500 at 24-29, the Reds are in third place in a weak division and trail the first-place Brewers in through four games. As of Thursday, the Reds are tied for the worst record in the NL.
“If people can come and feel the camaraderie that we have in this clubhouse, it’s unmatched. There’s a lot of great things to come,” said starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft, who pitched five innings for the victory. . “There are more guys [in the Minors] tearing it apart. There’s still a lot of season left. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing to get our tails out.”
Matt McClain
The shortstop and the No. 5 club prospect, ranked 91st overall by MLB Pipeline, had four hits Sunday, including a game-tying RBI double in the third inning. In 12 games since McLain was promoted from Louisville on May 15, he has a slash line of .380/.456/.600 and is currently on a seven-game hitting streak.
“I’m just trying to do my part,” McLain said. “The numbers are in the past. I’m trying to be in the present. Whatever happens, I’m on to the next pitch.”
McLain’s speed set up the go-ahead run in the fifth inning on Sunday. At first base with one out, he was picked off by Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly but bolted safely for second base. McLain later took third base when Smyly made a throwing error to second base.
“He puts pressure on me. We’ve got some speed,” manager David Bell said. “We really believe a big part of our game is being aggressive on the bases. Always look to try to move forward.”
TJ Friedl
The outfielder has four two-hit games, including four doubles, in four games since returning from the injured list. He didn’t start Sunday, but his two-out pinch-hit double scored McLain in the fifth inning.
Friedl is slashing .333/.384/.507 in his 41 games this season.
“One advantage of not starting TJ, which hasn’t happened much, is you get the at-bat off the bench,” Bell said. “But that doesn’t make it easy to do what he did. He’s playing great.”
Spencer Steer
Steer, who snapped a nine-game hitting streak Saturday, helped put the game away with a two-out, two-run homer to left field on a first-pitch fastball from lefty reliever Brandon Hughes in the sixth inning.
The rookie Steer is hitting .386 in his last 13 games with five doubles and two homers. His seven homers lead the club.
“We found our identity early in Spring Training,” Steer said. “We’re going to outwork teams, we’re going to play hard and to the end. I think we’ve had a little bit of a run this year.”
Not only younger players but also veterans are contributing.
Utility player Kevin Newman started at second base, reached base five times and had a 13-pitch plate appearance in the fifth inning that resulted in a bases-loaded walk to add another run.
Nick Senzel had two RBI hits, a single in the second inning and a double in the seventh. Senzel has 23 RBI in 30 games since April 24.
“It’s fun. We’re going up there and fighting for each other,” Newman said. “Next player up mentality. You can feel the energy, competitiveness, grit and fight. That’s one-through-nine or even the guys who don’t start.”
The offense got Ashcraft, who showed improvement after struggling in his last four starts. In the bottom of the second with a 2-0 lead, he was one strike out of a scoreless inning before Patrick Wisdom hit his cutter up the middle for a three-run homer, the only run he would want.
“When you get these guys doing things like this, they set us up for success,” Ashcraft said. “I know the guys are behind me, all I have to do is fight and build and throw my stuff and compete. It helps a lot.”
