Schwarber Homers Twice As Cubs Pound Reds
CINCINNATI (AP) — Chicago's starting outfield of Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward and Ian Happ each homered twice, and the Cubs pounded the Cincinnati Reds 10-1 on Sunday for a split of their four-game series.
Schwarber hit the first and the last of the Cubs' season-high six homers, belting a solo drive in the fourth inning against Luis Castillo (0-5) and a grand slam off José De León in the ninth. Heyward connected for solo drives in the fourth and sixth, and Happ hit a two-run shot in the fifth and a solo homer in the seventh.
The NL Central-leading Cubs hit 14 homers in the series. Help is on the way, too, after they acquired acquired José Martínez in a trade before the win. Chicago sent two players to be named or cash considerations to Tampa Bay for Martínez, giving manager David Ross another option at designated hitter.
Joey Votto homered in the sixth for Cincinnati, which rallied for a doubleheader split against Chicago on Saturday. Castillo allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.
Cubs right-hander Tyler Chatwood left in the third inning with right elbow discomfort. Colin Rea, José Quintana (1-0), Ryan Tepera, Kyle Ryan and Duane Underwood Jr. then combined for 6 2/3 innings of two-hit ball.
Chatwood was making his second start since returning from the IL on Aug. 25. He had been sidelined with a lower back strain.
Castillo, a National League All-Star last season while going 14-8, had allowed one homer all season before surrendering three against the Cubs. He struck out seven and walked one.
TRAINING ROOM
Cubs: Chatwood is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Monday.
Reds: LHP Jesse Biddle experienced tightness in his left shoulder during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, leading to the diagnosis of an impingement. He was placed on the 10-day injured list. The Reds don't expect him to need more than the 10 days he'll spend on the IL, manager David Bell said Sunday.
UP NEXT
Cubs: LHP Jon Lester (2-1), Tuesday's starter in Pittsburgh, allowed one run in six innings in his last start against the Pirates, a 2-1, 11-inning Cubs win on Aug. 2.
Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-1) starts Monday night against St. Louis. DeSclafani hasn't pitched since Aug. 21, spending time on the paternity list.
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