Schwarber Hits 2-Run HR To Power Cubs Past Reds, 5-4
CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning, and Kris Bryant had three hits as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds, 5-4, on Tuesday night.
Schwarber sent a deep drive into the left-center field bleachers on a 3-2 pitch from Burke Badenhop (1-4). The blast scored Dexter Fowler, who had singled with two outs.
Bryant drove in two runs for Chicago, which had lost five of six but is still in good shape for its first playoff berth since 2008. The Cubs entered play Tuesday 5 1-2 games ahead of San Francisco for the NL's second wild card spot.
In five innings, Dan Haren gave up two runs and four hits while striking out four. Joey Votto's first-inning drive gave Haren nine consecutive appearances allowing at least one home run.
Hector Rondon picked up his 25th save in 29 tries. Fernando Rodney (6-5) allowed Eugenio Suarez's homer in the seventh that gave the Reds a short-lived 4-3 lead but won his first game since the Cubs acquired him from Seattle on Aug. 27.
Votto, whose homer was his 26th, reached base three times.
Anthony DeSclafani went 5 2-3 innings and gave up three runs and four hits while striking out seven and walking two for the Reds, remaining winless since Aug. 4.
DeSclafani's last pitch was Bryant's single with two outs in the sixth that brought Chicago to within 3-2. With runners on first and second, Sam LeCure allowed Miguel Montero's game-tying single before Javier Baez grounded out to end the inning.
Making his first appearance of the season after being recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Iowa, Baez started at second base and was 0 for 4. One of Chicago's top prospects, Baez hit .324 at Iowa after struggling with the Cubs last year when he hit nine home runs but batted only .169 with 95 strikeouts in 52 games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: OF Yorman Rodriguez likely would have been promoted from Triple-A Louisville when the rosters expanded, but the 23-year-old has been sidelined since July 26 with a left calf strain. His status for the remainder of the season is uncertain.
Cubs: C David Ross was activated off the family medical emergency leave list.
UP NEXT
Reds RHP Raisel Iglesias faces Chicago RHP Jason Hammel. Iglesias (3-6, 3.92) has six straight quality starts, while Hammel (7-6, 3.42) is coming off an August when he was 1-2 with a 6.31 ERA.
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