• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Cozart, Reds take rubber match from Cubs

Apr 21, 2014 - 12:58 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Zack Cozart went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago Cubs, 8-2, on Sunday to take the rubber match of a three-game set.

Jay Bruce hit a solo homer and scored twice, while Todd Frazier went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the win.

Reds starter Homer Bailey (1-1) pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight to earn his first win of the season.

"It's about the fourth game in a row that the offense really picked me up," said Bailey. "Every time I take the mound (the offense) shows up. I'm just glad I could contribute."

Cincinnati has won 17-of-19 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Nate Schierholtz and Ryan Sweeney each knocked in a run for the Cubs, who saw starter Carlos Villanueva (1-4) take the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

"It's been strange going so far," said Villanueva. "I know for me and the team. It doesn't do us any good hanging our heads or being negative."

Devin Mesoraco kept up his torrid start to the season with an RBI double in the top of the fourth to open the scoring and give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

Mesoraco is now 17-for-33 on the season and has hit safely in all nine games he has played.

Cozart followed with a double that plated Mesoraco and Bailey helped his own cause with an RBI single that scored Cozart.

The Reds added on in the fifth when Frazier knocked in Bruce to push the spread to 4-0. Ryan Ludwick then singled home Frazier.

Bruce led off the seventh inning with a solo blast to center and Cozart followed a Mesoraco walk with a two-run shot that made it an 8-0 game.

Schierholtz and Sweeney collected RBI singles in the seventh to account for the final margin.

Game Notes

The Reds were 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base ... Chicago went 3-for-15 with RISP and left 14 runners on base ... Billy Hamilton stole his seventh base of the season in the win ... Emilio Bonifacio swiped his ninth bag of the season in the setback.