BOX SCORE

The Chicago Cubs rallied from a five-run deficit Sunday, and defeated the Cincinnati Reds 11-8 to take the series from their NL Central rivals at Great American Ball Park.

Thanks to Reese McGuire, who improbably hit two home runs at opportune times.

McGuire was called up from Triple-A Iowa before the game, as Miguel Amaya went on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. Then Carson Kelly, originally in Sunday’s lineup as the starting catcher, was scratched because of illness, so left-handed-hitting McGuire had to make his Cubs debut against Reds southpaw Nick Lodolo.

“I think I found out an hour and a half before the game,” McGuire told reporters after the game. “Originally it was Carson, and I found out when I was catching a bullpen. It’s kind of easy to turn the on-switch on and be ready to go. I came back inside and did my normal routine to get ready.”

In his first at-bat, McGuire homered off Lodolo just over the right-field fence in the second inning, pulling the Cubs within 4-3.

Later, with the Cubs trailing 8-7, McGuire led off the top of the eighth, and drove a 1-2 pitch from Reds lefty reliever Taylor Rogers over the right-field fence to tie the score. Seiya Suzuki’s three-run homer later in the inning broke the deadlock and made the Cubs winners.

“I felt like a little kid out there again playing ball and living my dream again, and just thankful for the opportunity,” said McGuire, who entered the game with just three homers in 169 career at-bats against lefties. “What a comeback win for the whole team.”

Cubs manager Craig Counsell appreciated how McGuire had the “game of his life” after the seven-year MLB veteran, who also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, received another chance to play in the big leagues.

“In Reese’s situation, maybe you feel like something is slipping away and you’re not getting an opportunity, and you’re asked to just keep going without any promise of an opportunity, and when you least expect it, you get that opportunity,” Counsell told reporters. “Wasn’t in the lineup today, wasn’t planning on getting called up … and then you get that opportunity and you have the game of your life. … You’re happy for him, and I’m happy for him.”

[MORE: Cubs place Miguel Amaya on 10-day IL, select Reese McGuire to 40-man roster]

McGuire’s emotions poured out in his postgame interview with Marquee Sports Network’s Taylor McGregor, as he shared his joy at being back in the big leagues.

“I’m just thankful for this opportunity to be back here. What a team to be a part of,” McGuire told McGregor. “I worked really hard to get back here, and thankful for the opportunity.

“We kept fighting all game. They put up four runs early on our starter — he had to grind through to put more innings together — and hand it off to the bullpen to piece together the rest of the game one by one. I’ve been watching these guys on TV, and watching them never give up, and it’s cool to be part of that.”

Later, as McGuire concluded his clubhouse scrum with reporters, he left one final message to anybody pursuing their dream to play baseball.

“Thankful for the opportunity, and never give up on your dream,” McGuire said. “This game can battle test you, for sure, and I’m happy that family is supporting, and yeah, I’m getting emotional now again, but never give up on your dream, and keep believing in yourself.”