Reds 8, Cubs 4: The same sad old song

Before I get to the gist of recapping the Cubs’ 8-4 loss to the Reds Thursday in Cincinnati, I want to highlight one specific event.

The Cubs are trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh. There are two out and one Reds runner on first base. Tyler Stephenson is batting.

Here’s what happened:

I’m sorry, plate umpire Adrian Johnson, pitch 4 is not a ball. That’s strike three! It’s not even a close call, that ball is well within the zone. The inning should have been over.