Reds catcher misses tag, broadcasters call error 'middle school mistake'
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson failed to tag Chicago Cubs runner Ian Happ at home plate in the fourth inning, allowing a run in an 8-3 loss Thursday at Wrigley Field. The blunder occurred after third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes stepped on third for the first out on Dansby Swanson's grounder, removing the force play and requiring a tag. Happ scored untouched as the Cubs took a 3-0 lead and added four more runs that inning for a four-game sweep.
The Reds entered the series having lost their previous three games to the Cubs in walk-off fashion. Cincinnati broadcasters John Sadak and Chris Welsh criticized the play immediately, with Sadak saying, "It's a tag play! He's gotta tag him!" and Welsh exclaiming, "No! No! Oh, this is a middle school mistake right here."
Cincinnati started the season 20-11 and atop the NL Central but has gone winless in May and lost seven straight games overall, dropping to last place in the division. The club also tied an MLB record last week by issuing seven consecutive walks to Pittsburgh Pirates batters.
The winless road trip ends for the Reds, who host the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals in their next six games.
