Reds 4, Cubs 3: Johnny Cueto tossed 6 1/3 solid innings and visiting Cincinnati took advantage of two errors in the sixth inning to scratch for a pair of runs and seize two of three from its National League Central rival.
With the score tied at 2-2, Rodrigo Lopez (0-1) issued a leadoff walk in the sixth before the Reds loaded the bases after two throwing errors by catcher Geovany Soto. Drew Stubbs plated the go-ahead run with a fielder's choice and Jay Bruce provided insurance with a bases-loaded walk.
Joey Votto ripped an RBI double and Scott Rolen added a run-scoring single in the third inning for the Reds, who have won three of their last four.
Staked to an offensive explosion - well, by his standards - Cueto (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven to pick up the win. Prior to Sunday's outing, Cueto had received only six runs of support over 19 innings in three starts.
Two relievers bridged the gap to former Cub Sean Marshall, who worked around a leadoff triple by Starlin Castro in the ninth inning to secure his third save.
Bryan LaHair had an RBI single and Joe Mather scored on a throwing error for the Cubs, who have dropped seven of their last eight games.GAME NOTEBOOK: Cueto improved to 3-1 in his last seven starts versus the Cubs. ... After making three appearances with Triple-A Iowa, veteran pitcher Randy Wells was added to the 25-man roster prior to the game. He permitted two runs on six hits in five innings, but did not secure a decision. ... Castro's triple was his 100th career extra-base hit.
Cincinnati | Chi. Cubs | |
Johnny Cueto | Player | Randy Wells |
Win | W/L | No Decision |
6.1 | IP | 5.0 |
7 | Strikeouts | 2 |
5 | Hits | 6 |
1.42 | ERA | 3.60 |
Cincinnati | Chi. Cubs | |
Joey Votto | Player | Starlin Castro |
2 | Hits | 2 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
4 | TB | 4 |
.667 | Avg | .500 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Cincinnati | 7 | 0 | 10 | .219 | 27 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 3 |
Chi. Cubs | 6 | 0 | 8 | .176 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 |