Reds top Cubs 3-2 on Aug 5, 2025, as TJ Friedl's clutch hit and a stellar bullpen effort overcome Nick Lodolo's early injury exit. A gutsy team win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a game that felt like a microcosm of the entire season—full of unexpected twists, injuries, and nail-biting tension—the Cincinnati Reds dug deep to snag a crucial 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. While TJ Friedl's clutch seventh-inning single will grab the headlines, this was a quintessential team win, forged in the fires of the bullpen after starter Nick Lodolo made a shockingly early exit.
.282 AVG, 19 HR, 73 RBI: Elly De La Cruz's season-long dominance was on full display with another crucial RBI double.
The game plan went out the window almost immediately. Nick Lodolo was cruising, retiring the first five Cubs he faced, before a blister on his left index finger forced him from the game after just 1.2 innings. The collective groan from Reds Country was audible. But what could have been a disaster turned into a showcase for the bullpen's resilience. The relief corps, led by Scott Barlow who picked up his fifth win, slammed the door. Offensively, the Reds manufactured just enough. Tyler Stephenson got the scoring started with a solo shot, Elly De La Cruz ripped a critical RBI double, and TJ Friedl delivered the decisive blow with a tie-breaking single in the seventh. Emilio Pagán sealed the deal for his 24th save, capping a gutsy performance all around.
While the immediate news on Lodolo—a blister—is a relief compared to a more serious arm injury, it still injects uncertainty into the rotation. Thankfully, the front office's recent move to acquire Zack Littell from Tampa Bay now looks prescient. The right-hander (8-8, 3.58 ERA with the Rays) is being thrown directly into the fray, slated to make his Reds debut in the second game of this pivotal series. It's a high-pressure spot for the newcomer, but a strong outing would go a long way toward steadying the ship.
In the middle of all the pitching drama, Elly De La Cruz just kept hitting. His RBI double was a key piece of the victory, and it's another reminder of the phenomenal season he's putting together. Entering Tuesday, Elly is hitting .282 with 19 homers and 73 RBIs, posting a robust .359 OBP. He's the consistent, dynamic force in the lineup that allows the Reds to win these tight, low-scoring contests. Every time he steps to the plate, you feel like something special can happen, and last night he delivered once again.
While the big league club battled in a thriller, the future of the organization was making its own noise down in the Dominican Summer League. Seventeen-year-olds Jealmy Frias and Isaac Garcia both launched their first career professional home runs, offering a glimpse of the next wave of talent. With players like Ryjeteri Merite posting a sub-1.00 ERA, the player development pipeline continues to look incredibly healthy.
This gritty win against a division rival was exactly what the Reds needed, but there's no time to celebrate. With Lodolo's status uncertain, all eyes turn to Zack Littell's debut on Tuesday. Facing the Cubs' formidable Shota Imanaga, Littell's first start in Cincinnati is a trial by fire. Can the newest Red rise to the occasion and secure a massive series win? Tuesday night can't come soon enough.
