The Chicago Cubs secured their ninth consecutive victory on Thursday, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-3. Michael Conforto was a standout performer, going 3 for 3 with a home run and two runs batted in. Pitcher Shota Imanaga delivered a strong outing, throwing six innings of one-run ball, continuing a streak of scoreless innings that reached 12 before surrendering a solo home run to the Reds' Sal Stewart in the sixth.
The Cubs' win, powered by Conforto's offensive contributions and Imanaga's pitching, marks a significant stretch of consistent performance, pushing their winning streak to nine games.
The offensive surge saw contributions beyond Conforto. While details are sparse on the specific sequence of runs, Ian Happ continued his own impressive run, extending his on-base streak to 28 games, the second-longest active streak in Major League Baseball. His walk in the fourth inning was part of a broader offensive effort that saw several players contribute to scoring plays, including RBIs from Crow-Armstrong and contributions that led to runs for Hoerner, Swanson, and Happ.
Read More: Taylor Heinicke retires from football at 33 on May 7, 2026
Reds Face Roster Changes Amidst Loss
For the Cincinnati Reds, the game marks another defeat in a challenging period. The team announced that left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo is slated to make his season debut on Friday against the Houston Astros. This comes as the Cubs prepare for their next game in Texas, though their starter for Friday has not yet been named.
Broader Context of Cubs' Recent Performance
This recent nine-game winning streak stands in contrast to earlier results. Notably, Pete Crow-Armstrong was instrumental in a previous 7-6 extra-inning victory over the Reds, contributing a two-run home run that sent the game into extra innings. This suggests a pattern of resilience and clutch performance from the Cubs. Furthermore, a separate report from May 5th highlighted Michael Conforto's walk-off home run in a prior game against the Reds, indicating his crucial role in the team's recent successes.
Read More: Yankees Jasson Domínguez Injured After Wall Collision, Spencer Jones Called Up
Player Transactions and Injuries
The Cubs have also seen some player movement recently. Yacksel Rios was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa. Matthew Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list with a knee issue, retroactively applied from Monday. Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster. Meanwhile, Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to join the major league bullpen.
The reported pitching matchup for Thursday's game involved Shota Imanaga for the Cubs and Rhett Lowder for the Reds.
