Cincinnati Reds: Conforto’s HR gives Cubs 5-4 walk-off win at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO — A game that should have been the highlights of the young careers of starting pitcher Chase Petty and Blake Dunn turned into a game that’s the lowlight of Emilio Pagán’s season so far.

After Petty and Dunn, two recent call-ups, provided a spark and helped the Reds establish a lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. But then, Emilio Pagán allowed a walk-off homer to pinch-hitter Michael Conforto as the Cubs beat the Reds, 5-4, on Monday, May 4, at Wrigley Field.

“Nothing has changed as far as our mindset as a team,” Pagán said. “We know we’re really good. We played a lot of close ballgames. Quite honestly, I haven’t held up my end of the bargain. As painful as today is, I feel like I’m getting really close to being who I can be. I made two mistakes today, and they both got hit.”

First, Pagán left a splitter right down the middle to Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong in a two-strike count. Crow-Armstrong hit a towering fly ball to center field. Fighting the ivy, Myers couldn’t complete the catch.

“He’s fighting the wall and the basket,” Reds manager Terry Francona said “He took a jab step. You could see where he just kind of lost it off the side of his glove.”

Pagán’s next mistake was the fastball right down the middle to Conforto that won the Cubs the game.

“He just made a mistake,” Francona said. “Sometimes, it’s more than just what you’re doing on the mound. If the first play gets made, we’re probably shaking hands. I’m not blaming Dane. I’m just saying that’s a part of the game.”

Despite the loss, Petty’s performance gave the Reds something to be excited about.

He has faced a lot of adversity in a very young career. Last year, he debuted as the youngest starting pitcher in MLB and posted a 19.50 ERA in three appearances. He had a lot of work to do, and Monday was a sign that he’s trending in the right direction.

Petty, one of the Reds’ top starting pitching prospects, allowed three runs in 5 ⅔ innings.

“I tried to stay poised,” Petty said. “Stay within myself and do what this team needed me to do.”