Final
Schwarber hits 2-run HR to power Cubs past Reds 5-4
Sep 2, 2015 - 5:05 AM CHICAGO (AP) Rookie Kyle Schwarber put an end to the first slump of his major league career on Tuesday night.Schwarber hit a two-run homer with two out in the seventh inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Kris Bryant had three hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, who had dropped five of six. Miguel Montero had two hits, and Fernando Rodney (1-0) got his first win since he was acquired in a trade with Seattle on Thursday.
The Reds led 4-3 before Dexter Fowler singled and Schwarber followed with a drive into the bleachers in left-center on a 3-2 pitch from Burke Badenhop (1-4). It was his 13th homer in 48 major league games.
''It was a pretty big one for me,'' Schwarber said. ''I've just been struggling lately and just trying to get back on the right track and being able to contribute to the team.''
Entering Tuesday, Schwarber had been 1 for his last 14 and manager Joe Maddon said the rookie needed to calm down his feet, which was affecting his hands. He went 2 for 3 and scored three times in the win.
Joey Votto hit his 26th homer for the Reds, who had an 8-21 record in August. Votto reached three times and is batting .399 with 59 walks in 44 games since the All-Star break.
Votto's first-inning drive gave Dan Haren nine consecutive appearances of allowing at least one home run. But Haren settled down and allowed two runs and four hits in five innings.
''(Haren) had really good stuff tonight,'' Maddon said.
Rodney allowed Eugenio Suarez's tiebreaking homer in the seventh, but Schwarber's drive in the bottom half got him the win. Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 29 tries.
Cincinnati right-hander Anthony DeSclafani went 5 2-3 innings and gave up three runs and four hits while striking out seven and walking two. He is 0-3 with a 4.55 ERA in his last five starts.
''(DeSclafani) threw a beautiful ballgame,'' Reds manager Bryan Price said.
DeSclafani's last pitch was Bryant's single that got Chicago within one. With runners on first and second, Sam LeCure allowed Miguel Montero's tying single before Javier Baez grounded out to end the inning.
''I ran into some trouble,'' DeSclafani said about the sixth. ''I just have to make better pitches.''
The Cubs capitalized, and got a big victory after some recent struggles.
''It was really important to get that win,'' Haren said.
HE'S BACK
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.
MORE MOVES
The Cubs also recalled pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada and selected the contracts of outfielder Quintin Berry and reliever Trevor Cahill from Triple-A Iowa. To make room for Berry and Cahill on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated relievers James Russell and Rafael Soriano for assignment.
Acquired Monday from Seattle, outfielder Austin Jackson was added to the active roster.
GETTING PUMPED
When Cubs reliever Pedro Strop struck out Brandon Phillips to end the eighth inning, he celebrated in the direction of the Reds second baseman. Phillips responded by smiling at Strop and giving him the thumbs-up sign.
That ended an at-bat where Strop was trying to throw hard in response to how hard Phillips was swinging.
''It was a pretty competitive at-bat,'' said Strop, who added there was nothing personal between the two.
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 ERA) has six straight quality starts, while Hammel (7-6, 3.42 ERA) is coming off an August when he was 1-2 with a 6.31 ERA.
- CINCINNATI: 4
CHICAGO: 5
Final
Sep 1 11:08 PM - Schwarber homered to center on a full count, Fowler scored.
Reds 4, Cubs 5 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 1 10:31 PM - Kyle Schwarber homers to center field. Dexter Fowler scores.
Reds 4, Cubs 5 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 1 10:30 PM - M.Montero singled to center, Coghlan scored, Bryant to third.
Reds 3, Cubs 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 1 10:07 PM - Miguel Montero singles to left center field. Kris Bryant to third. Chris Coghlan scores.
Reds 3, Cubs 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 1 10:07 PM - Bryant singled to left, Schwarber scored, Coghlan to second.
Reds 3, Cubs 2 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 1 10:01 PM - Kris Bryant singles to left field. Chris Coghlan to second. Kyle Schwarber scores.
Reds 3, Cubs 2 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 1 10:01 PM - Anthony DeSclafani singles to left field. Tucker Barnhart scores.
Reds 2, Cubs 1 Top 5, 1 OutSep 1 9:17 PM
Sep 1 8:07 PM- CINCINNATI: 0
CHICAGO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 1 8:06 PM
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