Overview

• In Cincinnati, Shota Imanaga allowed three solo home runs and four runs (three earned) over five innings before the Reds pulled away with back-to-back blasts off reliever Porter Hodge in the sixth.
• Imanaga has surrendered 29 homers in 139 innings this season, a 1.88 HR/9 that ranks third-highest among MLB pitchers with 100-plus innings, and his ERA rose to 3.37.
• Imanaga said his delivery feels different from day to day and that he is trying to identify what works early in games to limit early damage.
• Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Imanaga is healthy but not moving like earlier in the year after his hamstring strain, noting offseason lower-body work will be important to restore mechanics.
• He is projected for one more regular-season start at Wrigley Field that could position him for a Wild Card assignment, and the Cubs hold the top NL Wild Card with eight games remaining as their magic number dropped to four.