The Reds are 8.5 games back in the NL Central race against the Chicago Cubs, who just went 18-9 in May despite up-and-down pitching. Even though the Reds’ May felt solid (the worst stretches from this offense were in April), they only went 13-15.

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Chicago Cubs 7-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Cubs took a 4-0 lead in the third inning and never looked back. They are 30-3 this season when they have a two-run lead at any point in the game. Nick Martinez said it came down to a lack of aggressiveness by him.

The Cincinnati Reds gave up two sloppy runs in the eighth and are on pace to be shut out 25 times this season.

Michael Busch hit a two-run homer and singled in a run as the Chicago Cubs beat the visiting Cincinnati Reds 7-3 in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon.

"We just told him we'll support whatever he needs to do. He wants to play today, and then we'll go from there."

Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez, who had a spectacular month of May, was roughed up Sunday afternoon in Chicago against the Cubs.

Off to their best start to a season since 2016, the Chicago Cubs will face the visiting Cincinnati Reds in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon.