Reds Have Record Win at Wrigley, Cardinals Fall to the Mets

It was another day empty day in the stands at Wrigley Field as the Cincinnati Reds (40-26) got another win against the Chicago Cubs (25-38), 2-1. In fact, it was the 12th consecutive record win for the Reds on Chicago’s home field.

They are now 10-2 overall vs. the Cubs for 2013 and 25-6 since Sept. 13, 2011.

But consecutive record wins for the visitor isn’t anything new at Wrigley. The previous record was 10 games and that was held by the Cubs’ foe, the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1943-44 season, followed by the New York Giants (1950-51) and the Montreal Expos (1982-83), according to STATS.

For the Cubs, Wednesday’s loss represented its third consecutive one. They’ve now lost eight of their last 10 following their five-game win streak and now sit at a season-worst 13 games under .500 (and 16 games back). In the last five losses, the Cubs have scored a combined seven runs, according CBS Sports.com.

Mike Leake

Reds pitcher righty Mike Leake (6-3) had his fourth win on Wednesday over five decisions. In his eight innings of pitching, the starter allowed one run, three hits, and six strikes. Leake is now 6-2 (3.24 ERA) in his 13 career starts vs. the Cubs.

The opposing pitcher and former teammate, lefty Travis Wood (5-5), didn’t fare as well; he allowed two runs and four hits in his seven innings of pitching.

Wednesday’s loss was his third one over four decisions. He is now 0-3 (4.65 ERA) in five starts vs. the Reds. The team traded him to Chicago in December 2011.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Wood’s play via CBS Sports.com, “It’s a broken record. Woody’s just pitched another great game and has nothing to show for it.”

On a positive note, the Cubs got a run in the second inning and led through the sixth until the Reds Brandon Phillips hit a single and Shin-Soo Choo, who was on base from his double, got the run for the tie. Then in the seventh inning, Todd Phillips broke the tie with a home run.

The Reds sit +0.5 behind the Cardinals (44-23). They’ll continue the series against the Cubs on Thursday with righty Mat Latos (6-0) taking the mound for them while Cubs righty Jeff Samardzija (3-7) will have pitching duty.

Look for the Reds to extend their Wrigley record to an unlucky No. 13 win (-131). They sit at +1200 to win this year’s World Series.

Cardinals Fall to the Mets, 5-1

New York Mets (24-36) righty pitcher Dillon Gee (5-6), who is battling right elbow tendinitis, continued his strong pitching for a third straight game, giving up only run in seven innings for the 5-1 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

In addition to strong pitching, the Mets hit three homers. This was done by Lucas Duda, David Wright and Marlon Byrd.

Dillon Gee

The win came on terrible pitching by the Cardinals righty Shelby Miller, who saw his worst start in his still young career. He did manage to have 10 strikeouts without a walk in six innings but he allowed four runs–the most under his watch. This season, he has given up three runs in three pitching stints and his ERA is now 2.21, up from 1.91 entering Wednesday’s game.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Miller’s play via The Associated Press, “There are time that it’s not just selection (of pitches), but execution. Sometimes young pitchers with early success in their careers fall into this. It is a tough league, good hitters — they make adjustments. They call this a game of adjustments for a reason.”

For the Mets, the win ended a three-game skid and they now sit at 2-6 in June play. Barring a rainy forecast, the series will continue on Thursday. It will showcase a pitching battle between Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright (9-3) vs. Mets righy Matt Harvey (5-0).

Look for a Cardinals win (-137, 6.5 o/u). They sit at +650 to win this year’s World Series.