CINCINNATI (AP) – Evidence of the Reds’ growing pains showed in a decisive pitch by rookie John Lamb to Austin Jackson that led to another loss.
Jackson hit a three-run homer in the third inning, Anthony Rizzo added an RBI double and the Chicago Cubs kept alive their slim hopes for home-field advantage in the wild-card game with a 5-3 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday. It was the Reds’ 12th straight loss.
“Austin Jackson got hot in this series and did some damage,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He got the second slider in the sequence and hit it out.”
The Reds acquired Lamb (1-5) in a trade with Kansas City for Johnny Cueto. Lamb got his first taste of the big leagues.
“It might be perceived as one pitch but a couple walks preceded the home run,” Lamb said. “I don’t know why things happen but when I fall behind it doesn’t up our chances. I need to be prepared to pitch. I need to do what got me here and find a way to believe in myself.”