CINCINNATI — The Cubs rolled out all their regulars Thursday against the Reds, even after clinching a playoff spot the night before and celebrating with champagne showers.
That lineup didn’t save them from being shut out by Reds starter Hunter Greene in a 1-0 loss.
“There’s a 102 mile an hour pitch thrown in the ninth inning,” manager Craig Counsell said after the game. “That’s, that’s impressive, and that’s why he’s so good. It’s elite velocity, it’s the best there is in the big leagues.”
The last fastball Greene threw, his 107th of the night, registered at 101.5 mph, according to Statcast. A splitter and a slider later, he struck out Ian Happ looking to complete the second complete-game shutout of his career and his first of nine innings.
Hunter Greene finishes his gem with a strikeout 😤 pic.twitter.com/cqhdN1zqrn
— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2025
The Cubs managed only one hit, a new season low, against Greene, who carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. Finally, with two outs, the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki pulled a hard ground ball down the left field line for a double, the team’s first hit of the game.
Greene’s dominance overshadowed a shining performance from Cubs starter Colin Rea, who held the Reds to one run through seven innings.
Rea recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts and only allowed four hits.
Ballesteros in the clear
Rookie designated hitter Moises Ballesteros said he felt “really good,” even after being hit in the helmet by a line drive Thursday.
He reached base on an error to lead off the fifth inning. Then with two outs, Pete Crow-Armstrong pulled a line drive that grazed Reds first baseman Spencer Steer’s glove and struck the left side of Ballesteros’ helmet, sending it flying.
“After that, I felt a little bit nervous,” Ballesteros said.
He still had the wherewithal to run to second — although not in time to beat the throw from center field, where the ball had ended up. And soon after being checked by a trainer, Ballesteros was reenacting the play in the dugout for his teammates, with a smile on his face. He remained in the game.
Injury update
Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (strained right shoulder) traveled to Iowa on Thursday morning and was set to make a Triple-A rehab appearance Friday, Counsell said. He is eligible to return from the 15-day IL as early as Tuesday.
Right-hander Ryan Brasier (strained left groin) missed his scheduled rehab appearance Tuesday due to illness, Counsell said. The Cubs are targeting Friday or Saturday for his next Triple-A outing.
