The Cincinnati Reds had a four-run lead and their ace on the mound. It was an ideal start to facing the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs in the first of six head-to-head games through June 1.

After striking out looking in his first at-bat, Soto fell behind 1-2 against Brown, then elevated to tag a high 95.9 mph cutter off the ribbon board in right field 390 feet from home plate to give ...