CINCINNATI — With their season on the line, the Cincinnati Reds turned to right-hander Joey Hamilton, and he delivered.
In front of a roaring crowd at Riverfront Stadium, Hamilton threw eight innings of two-run ball, steadying the Reds in a high-stakes elimination game and guiding Cincinnati to a 4–2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The win evens the Division Series at three games apiece, setting up a decisive Game 7.
“We just needed to stay alive,” said Reds skipper. “And Joey gave us exactly what we needed.”
Reds Jump Ahead Early, Never Trail
The Reds struck first and never gave the lead back. Dave Nilsson crushed a solo homer in the fifth to extend a 2–0 lead, and Bernie Williams doubled in a crucial insurance run in the eighth. Matt Stairs and Bobby Higginson chipped in RBI singles, and though Cincinnati managed just six hits, they made them count.
Meanwhile, Hamilton kept the Cubs off balance, scattering seven hits and striking out six. He worked through trouble in the sixth, when Chicago scored twice on RBI knocks from Damon James and Mike Piazza, but retired seven of the final eight batters he faced.
Todd Worrell worked a clean ninth for his third save of the series.
Cubs’ Missed Chances Add Up
Chicago’s offense had opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize. They went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, stranded six, and grounded into a costly double play. Errors by Geraldo Peña and Mark Grace extended innings and contributed to the Reds’ early momentum.
Offensively, Luis Gonzalez swiped a base and collected a hit, but he was stranded each time. Piazza delivered an RBI single, but the Cubs’ big bats—Greenwell, Peña, and Grace—combined for just two hits.
Starter Julian Robinson labored through 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs, including Nilsson’s blast. Tim Burke and Mike Schooler handled the rest, but the damage was already don
Box Score Highlights
Chicago Cubs
- Key Hitters: Damon James (1-for-4, RBI), Mike Piazza (1-for-4, RBI), Scott Cooper (1-for-4)
- Extra Base Hits: None
- Pitching: Julian Robinson (L, 5.1 IP, 3 ER), Tim Burke (1.2 IP, 1 ER)
Cincinnati Reds
- Key Hitters: Dave Nilsson (HR, 2 R), Bernie Williams (2-for-4, RBI), Matt Stairs & Bobby Higginson (1 RBI each)
- Extra Base Hits: Nilsson (HR), Williams (double)
- Pitching: Joey Hamilton (W, 8 IP, 2 ER), Todd Worrell (SV, 1 IP, 0 ER)
Player of the Game: Joey Hamilton – 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K
Let me know when you’re ready for the Game 7 recap.