The Cincinnati Reds snatched a tense 3-2 victory from the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, riding clutch hitting and a lights-out bullpen performance to edge their NL Central rivals. Tyler Stephenson delivered the decisive blow—a towering solo homer in the 6th inning—while Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl each drove in critical runs to back a resilient pitching staff. Nick Lodolo set the tone with 1.2 scoreless innings, but it was the bullpen trio of Scott Barlow (2 strikeouts), Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagan (2 Ks in a perfect 9th) that slammed the door, combining for 4.1 shutout frames to preserve the lead.

The Cubs fought back behind Dansby Swanson’s two-run homer in the 3rd, but their bats went silent against Cincinnati’s relievers, managing just one hit over the final five innings. Chicago’s Ben Brown struck out five in four solid innings, but Ryan Brasier’s shaky 7th—allowing two hits and the go-ahead run—proved costly. With the win, the Reds inch closer in the division race, while the Cubs’ missed opportunities at Wrigley leave them searching for answers in a tightening playoff chase.