Cubs Power Past Reds, 6-3
CHICAGO (AP) -- Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler each homered, and the Chicago Cubs ended the banged-up Cincinnati Reds' four-game winning streak with a 6-3 victory Thursday night.
With the rebuilt right-field bleachers filled with fans for the first time this season, the Cubs won for the fourth time in five games.
Montero's three-run homer in the first off Michael Lorenzen (1-2) gave Chicago an early lead, and Fowler's third-inning drive put the Cubs in front 4-2.
Kris Bryant added an RBI double in the fifth for the Cubs, who overcame a rough night from their starting pitcher.
Tsuyoshi Wada was coming off his worst start with the Cubs when he allowed five runs in 3 2-3 innings on June 5 in Washington, and he wasn't much better Thursday. He allowed three runs and four hits in three-plus innings before being replaced by Travis Wood (3-2) following Chris Dominguez's home run to begin the fourth.
Wood pitched 2 1-3 innings and was one of five Chicago relievers that combined to throw six scoreless innings and in one stretch retire 14 consecutive batters. Hector Rondon, whose status as Chicago's closer has come into doubt, saved his 11th game in 14 attempts.
Dominguez was recalled earlier Thursday from Triple-A Louisville to help the increasingly injured Reds.
Already with a rash of injuries, the Reds were playing their first game without Zack Cozart after the shortstop was ruled out for the season with a torn tendon and two ligaments. He was hurt trying to beat out a grounder Wednesday against Philadelphia. Along with Cozart, the Reds were missing opening-day starters Marlon Byrd (right wrist), Billy Hamilton (left wrist), Devin Mesoraco (hip), and Brandon Phillips (left groin).
To replace Cozart, Eugenio Suarez was recalled from Louisville and went 1 for 3.
Lorenzen went 4 1-3 innings, allowing five hits, six runs -- five earned -- while walking three and striking out six. He also had a two-out triple in the second against Wada, bringing in Brayan Pena and Suarez.
Pena's second-inning single gave him hits in seven consecutive plate appearances.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: Manager Bryan Price said Phillips is day to day, and that he anticipated seeing Hamilton in the lineup Friday if his workouts went well Thursday. . Mesoraco played left field but departed from Wednesday's game early during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville due to soreness. Price said the team might have to reevaluate whether he can physically play the outfield.
Cubs: Manager Joe Maddon said he hasn't heard anything new on RHP Neil Ramirez (right shoulder).
(© 2015 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)