Carson Spiers allowed just one hit in five scoreless innings in his return from the injured list, and the Cincinnati Reds hit three home runs in a 7-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
In the eighth inning, Cubs reliever Nate Pearson and manager Craig Counsell were ejected after Pearson hit Tyler Stephenson in the helmet. This happened right after Pearson gave up a homer to Jeimer Candelario. Stephenson was upset about being hit while being partly held back by catcher Miguel Amaya.
Stephenson stayed in the game. “It is scary,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s fine, thankfully.”
Pearson was ejected after the umpires discussed the situation, and Counsell was thrown out for arguing.
“Guys getting hit in the head is not good, not good at all, (whether it’s) their team, our team,” Counsell said. “There’s just no intent there.”
TJ Friedl hit a three-run homer, and Will Benson added a two-run shot for the Reds. Benson’s homer was his 12th of the season, a career high. Both home runs came off Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-6), who gave up a season-high six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. His ERA went up from 2.96 to 3.35.
“There’s been a little bit of noise and stuff,” Taillon said. “I’m human and I’m aware of it. At the same time, I did all my normal work and when you’re out there, it’s the last thing you think about when you’re between the lines.”
Ian Happ’s single in the first inning was the Cubs’ only hit off Spiers (4-2), who retired his last 12 batters in his first start since July 12 due to a right shoulder impingement. Spiers threw 68 pitches.
“His first time back, we were looking at 50 to 60 pitches, maybe,” Bell said. “He went above and beyond that. It’s good to know Carson’s healthy.”
