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Latos shuts down Cubs in series finale

Apr 24, 2013 - 10:32 PM Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Todd Frazier scorched a solo homer for the game's only run and Mat Latos struck out four over seven-plus innings, as the Cincinnati Reds slipped past the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Latos (1-0) limited the Cubs to just three hits over the first seven frames before allowing the first two batters to reach base in the eighth.

Jonathan Broxton took over and retired all three hitters he faced before Aroldis Chapman worked around a two-out single in the ninth to nail down his fourth save of the season.

Shin-Soo Choo collected two hits and has now reached base in all 21 games he has appeared in for the Reds, who wrapped up a 10-game homestand at 8-2.

Jeff Samardzija (1-4) suffered his fourth straight loss despite striking out eight and scattering seven hits and three walks over six innings for Chicago, which managed just five hits in dropping its fifth game in its last six tries.

"You have faith in your team," Samardzija said of dealing with the lack of run support. "It's early in the season and you keep pitching and see what happens."

Samardzija stifled the Reds over the first five frames, but Frazier gave his team the only run they would need with one swing of the bat in the sixth, as he launched a two-out blast an estimated 480 feet into straightaway center field for a 1-0 lead.

"I took a couple of steps and kind of figured it was out," Frazier said of his homer. "But I didn't really know how far until I looked up and saw it bounce off of the boat. It was pretty fun to watch."

Latos issued a leadoff walk to Dioner Navarro in the eighth before giving up a single to Luis Valbuena to end his outing. Broxton took over on the mound to face Cody Ransom, who got down a bunt to put runners on second and third with one out.

Broxton then worked out of the jam by fanning pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano before getting David DeJesus to ground out to Zack Cozart, who made a nice play behind second base to end the threat and keep the Reds in front.

Chapman struck out pinch-hitter Dave Sappelt to start the ninth before Starlin Castro grounded out. Anthony Rizzo smacked a single to right to keep Chicago's hopes alive, but Chapman got pinch-hitter Scott Hairston to ground out to short to end the contest.

Game Notes

The start of the game was delayed 1:29 due to rain ... Frazier's homer was the seventh longest on record at Great American Ball Park ... Chicago announced during the contest that the game postponed on April 17 between the Cubs and Texas Rangers has been rescheduled for Monday, May 6 at 7:05 p.m. at Wrigley Field ... Cincinnati's pitching staff struck out six batters to end a streak of six straight games with at least 10 strikeouts.