Reds 6 Cubs 3
The Reds pounced on Cubs starter Justin Steele for five runs in the first two innings. Santiago Espinal collected a career high four hits in extending his hit streak to 10 games. David Bell pieced together 27 outs with seven pitchers on a bullpen night.
Leading 5-0 into the 6th, the Reds saw the Cubs cut the lead to 5-3 in the 7th. But the Reds added a final cushion run in the 8th.
The Reds take the series and move to 52-55 overall, 7-2 vs the Cubs, including three series wins. They go for a sweep Wednesday night.
Offense: 12 H, 4 BB, 10 K
Cubs SP Justin Steele entered with a 3.08 ERA. 5 IN, 5 R, 4 BB.
Santiago Espinal: Career best 4 H, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI. Needing a triple for the cycle, he doubled in the 8th.
10 game hit streak: 17 for 31 (.548), 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R....over 16 total games.
Jonathan India: 2B, BB, 2 R
TJ Friedl: 2 H, BB, 2 RBI
Tyler Stephenson: 3 H, RBI
Noelvi: BB, R, SB
A bullpen game:
Tony Santillan: 1.0 as the opener
Nick Martinez: 4.0 IN, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 53 pitches/38 strikes.
Lyon Richardson: 0.2, 2 R, HR
Justin Wilson: 1.0. R. Entered 2 on, 2 out in 6th.
Fernando Cruz: 0.1. Entered 1 on, 2 out in 7th. BB, 1B, WP, inherited R.
Buck Farmer: 1.0
Alexis Diaz: 1.0 .....4-pitch BB to started 9th. 14th straight save.....21 of 23 this year.
How they scored:
1st: Friedl 2-out, 2-run 1B, 2-0 Reds
2nd: Espinal 2-R HR, 4-0 Reds
2nd: Stephenson 2-out, RBI 1B, 5-0 Reds
8th: Steer 2-out, RBI 2B, 6-3 Reds