Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/20/25): Reds 6, Cubs 3 – Third Straight Loss in Cincinnati

The Cubs came up short for a third consecutive evening against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. Cincinnati used three more home runs to take the game and continue their push for a playoff spot.

Michael Busch gave Chicago the lead with an impressive solo home run off Zack Littell in the top of the 3rd. Javier Assad ran into big trouble in the bottom of the frame, giving up a pair of runs on a Spencer Steer fielder’s choice and a Will Benson RBI single to put the Reds ahead 2-1.

The North Siders tied up the game when Reese McGuire launched a solo shot in the top of the 5th inning. Cincinnati got that run right back when Steer hit a homer off of reliever Drew Pomeranz in the bottom half to make it 3-2.

TJ Friedl added an insurance tally with a homer against Aaron Civale that increased the margin to 4-2 in the 7th. McGuire had an RBI double off Chase Burns in the 8th to cut the deficit back to one at 4-3. That would be as close as the Cubs would get, however, as Tyler Stephenson took Andrew Kittredge deep for a two-run homer that put the Reds in front 6-3 in the bottom of the frame.

Chicago did not do much in the 9th inning and suffered a 6-3 defeat. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs had runners on first and third with one out in the 8th with a chance to tie the game. Tony Santillan came on in relief, striking out Ian Happ and getting a groundout by Moisés Ballesteros to escape the jam.

Why the Cubs Lost

Home runs were a problem once again, and that was the difference in the game.

Stats That Matter

• Assad was fine in a spot start: 4 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 K, 2 BB.
• McGuire loves playing in Cincinnati with three home runs this season.
• Nico Hoerner had two more hits as he continues pushing for a batting title.

Bottom Line

The Cubs definitely look like they have had a bit of a letdown after clinching a playoff spot. It doesn’t help that they are facing a Reds team that has to win every game to stay in the race, but their work is not done and they still need to win to secure home-field in the playoffs.

On Deck

Chicago hopes to avoid a sweep Sunday afternoon at 12:40pm CT. Jameson Taillon goes against Andrew Abbott in a game available on MLB Network and Marquee with a radio feed on 670 The Score.