The Cincinnati Reds fell to last place in the NL Central after a series of losses to the Chicago Cubs, culminating in an 8-3 defeat. A critical mistake by catcher Tyler Stephenson highlighted the team's struggles during the series.
Credit: Reds.TV; MLB
The Cincinnati Reds entered May in sole possession of first place in the National League Central. Now, one week into the month, and the Reds are in sole possession of last place, six games back.
After three straight walk-off, one-run losses to the first-place Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, the series concluded with a sloppy effort by Cincinnati in an 8-3 loss on Thursday to complete the four-game sweep. And one play really summarized the day (and series) for the Reds.
Leading 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Cubs had the bases loaded with no outs. Chicagoâs Dansby Swanson hit a groundball to Reds third baseman KeâBryan Hayes, who stepped on third base for a force out before throwing home to catcher Tyler Stephenson. Due to Hayes already touching third base for an out, the play at the plate became a tag play.
However, Stephenson simply stepped on home plate instead of tagging Cubs baserunner Ian Happ, giving Chicago a run instead of resulting in a double play.
Cincinnati announcers John Sadak and Chris Welsh were all over it, even as the play was unfolding, and provided stunned commentary on the Reds.TV broadcast.
âBounced to third, handled by Hayes,â Sadak said on the play-by-play. âItâs a tag at the plate! Heâs gotta tag him! Heâs safe!â
Tyler Stephenson failed to execute a tag play at home plate after a groundball play, which was a critical moment in the game.
The Reds started May in first place but quickly dropped to last place in the NL Central after losing four straight games to the Cubs.
The final score of the game was 8-3 in favor of the Chicago Cubs.
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âNo!â Welsh exclaimed. âNo! No!â
âHayes hit the bag, and Stephenson didnât realize there was no force at the plate!â Sadak continued. âHe stepped on the plate, thinking  he could force out Ian Happ! But he scores, because there was a tag play!â
âOh!â Welsh said. âThis is a middle school mistake right here. You have to pay attention to whatâs going on ahead of you. Stephenson did not see the force play at third base. Once Hayes steps on the bag, the force is relieved. You have to tag the runner!â
âOh. Oh my!â Welsh, a former major-league pitcher, continued in disgust.
Maybe Stephenson didnât know the rule (which would be quite concerning when it comes to a major-league player). Maybe he didnât see Hayes touch third base before the throw. Whatever the case, itâs an inexcusable blunder.
And the gaffe only looked worse as the inning continued. The Cubs went on to score seven runs in that fourth inning to jump out to an 8-0 lead.
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