CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds lost 100 games for the first time in four decades, falling to the Cubs 15-2 in their season finale on Wednesday as David Bote drove in a season-high five runs.
Cincinnati finished 62-100, one shy of the franchise record for losses set by the 1982 team that went 61-101. The Reds became the record-tying fourth team to lose 100 games this season, even for the bottom of the NL Central with Pittsburgh after just missing post-season play with an 83-79 record last season.
Similarly rebuilding Chicago finished 74-88 and third in the NL Central, up from 71-91 and fourth last season.
The crowd of 12,437 boosted the Reds’ attendance to 1,387,947 in 79 dates at Great American Ball Park, down from the 1,775,396 in 79 dates in 2019, which didn’t include two “home” games in Mexico.
This season’s attendance is Cincinnati’s lowest in a full season since the 1984 team drew 1,275,887 to Riverfront Stadium and doesn’t include the 7,823 fans who attended the Aug. 11 Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, when the Reds were the home team.
Bote hit a three-run homer before Chicago broke the game open with a six-run sixth capped by Zach McKinstry’s three-run home run.
Adbert Alzolay (2-1), the first of five relievers who took over for the injured Adrian Sampson, pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win.
Rookie right-hander Graham Ashcraft (5-6) set a season high with five walks while slipping to 0-4 against the Cubs this season. The rookie went 0-4 with two blown saves over his last six starts.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: Sampson left in the third inning with right groin tightness.
Reds: Jonathan India was scratched from the original starting lineup after fouling a ball of his left foot on Tuesday. Alejo Lopez replaced India at designated hitter.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Open sthe pring training schedule on Feb. 25 against San Francisco at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz..
Reds: Start the 2023 spring training schedule on Feb. 25 against Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz.
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