Nick Lodolo surrendered just one run over six innings and Tyler Stephenson delivered a clutch two-run double on Friday as the Cincinnati Reds beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 3-2 for their six straight win.
Alexis Diaz retired the first two batters in the ninth before allowing a walk and a line-drive RBI double by Miguel Amaya. Diaz then struck out Patrick Wisdom for his 13th save in 15 chances.
Dansby Swanson belted his sixth homer of the season for the Cubs, who lost for the 11th time in 15 games.
The Reds continued their recent surge in two-out scoring in the fourth by breaking through with their first base hit and runs off the Cubs’ starter, left-hander Justin Steele.
Steele (0-3) set down the first 10 Cincinnati batters before walking Elly De La Cruz with one out in the fourth. Steele then appeared to get out of the inning twice but aggressive baserunning and bad luck extended the Reds’ inning.
De La Cruz appeared to be clearly picked off first for what would’ve been the third out. But De La Cruz kept running for second and beat the tag from Swanson, the shortstop, for his 33rd steal.
Steele then struck out Spencer Steer, but the third strike eluded catcher Amaya for a wild pitch and Steer reached first safely to again extend the inning.
Stephenson then drove an 0-1 slider down the left field line for Cincinnati’s first hit, putting the Reds up, 2-0.
Cincinnati took a 3-0 lead in the next inning when top outfield prospect Blake Dunn collected his first major league hit, a two-run double to left-center. Stuart Fairchild singled Dunn home.
Swanson broke up the shutout with two outs in the sixth when he drove an outside fastball from Lodolo several rows deep to the seats in right for an opposite-field home run.
Lodolo (6-2) allowed one run and four hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking two in earning in his third straight win in as many starts.
Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki was hit by the throw to second on a successful stolen base in the first inning. In the fifth, he appeared to be favoring his left side toward the oblique region after a swing. He walked in that plate appearance and left the game before the bottom of the sixth.
–Field Level Media
