Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) – Addison Russell’s three-run double led
the Chicago Cubs in a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a
rain-shortened set.
Miguel Montero added a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored for the
Cubs, who took both games of the set that saw Saturday’s contest postponed due
to rain. Jake Arrieta (3-1) pitched six innings and allowed two runs on four
hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Todd Frazier hit a solo home run and Billy Hamilton drove in the other run for
the Reds, who have lost three straight. Anthony DeSclafani (2-1) allowed five
runs — one earned — on five hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts
over five innings.
The Cubs jumped on top in the second as Montero hit a one-out solo homer to
left, his third of the season.
Chicago added to its lead with a big fourth inning. Anthony Rizzo drew a walk
to start the frame, stole second, moved to third when Kris Bryant’s grounder
was misplayed by Frazier, and scored on Montero’s single to left.
After Starlin Castro grounded out, Chris Coghlan was intentionally walked to
load the bags. Arrieta then struck out, but Russell knocked a bases-clearing
double to the gap in right-center for a 5-0 lead.
“I saw the ball a little bit better today. Fouled off some good pitches to
keep me in the count,” said Russell. “He gave me a fastball outside. I tried
not to do too much.”
Arrieta was flawless his first time through the Cincinnati order and got the
first two outs of the fourth before Frazier ripped a pitch into the left field
seats to make it a 5-1 game. Arrieta then gave up two singles, but struck out
Marlon Byrd to end the inning.
Cincinnati chipped away a bit more at its deficit in the fifth as Hamilton’s
fielder’s choice scored Zack Cozart and left men at the corners with one out.
Hamilton then stole second before Joey Votto walked, but Arrieta got Frazier
to foul out, and Brandon Phillips to ground into a fielder’s choice to get out
of the jam.
Arrieta pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning and Zac Rosscup took the mound in the
seventh. He retired the first two batters before Hamilton ripped a triple to
center, but Rosscup struck Votto out swinging to end the frame.
Pedro Strop worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Hector Rondon tossed a scoreless
ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Game Notes
A makeup date for Saturday’s postponed game has yet to be announced …
Hamilton leads the majors with 13 stolen bases … Chicago hosts Pittsburgh
for three games starting on Monday … Cincinnati hosts Milwaukee for a three-
game set beginning Monday.
