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Cubs' Jackson aims for win versus Reds

Jun 25, 2014 - 2:31 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Edwin Jackson tries to win consecutive starts for the first time this season when the Chicago Cubs close a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday at Wrigley Field.

Jackson hasn't won back-to-back starts since June 30 - July 11, 2013, a three- game victory string. The right-hander tossed five innings in a victory over Pittsburgh on Friday. He's 3-0 over his last four home starts and hasn't lost at Wrigley Field since April 24, his only loss at home this season.

In seven career starts versus Cincinnati, Jackson is 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA. That includes a 2-0 mark with a 4.76 ERA in two starts this season.

Mat Latos makes his third start of the season after recovering from right elbow and left knee surgeries. The right-hander didn't get a decision Friday against Toronto when he allowed nine hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings. The Reds lost that game, 14-9.

Latos is 5-2 with a 2.83 ERA in nine career games versus the Cubs. That includes a 3-0 mark in four starts at Wrigley Field. Latos won all three decisions when facing the Cubs last season and is 4-0 over his last six starts versus them going back to a Sept. 28, 2010 loss.

Jake Arrieta continued his recent dominance Tuesday night by taking a perfect game into the seventh inning, as the Cubs beat the Reds, 7-3.

Arrieta retired the first 18 batters he faced before Billy Hamilton singled up the middle to start the seventh. The right-hander went on to give up two runs in the inning before exiting.

Arrieta (4-1), who had nine strikeouts, is 3-0 over his last five starts and has tossed seven frames in each of his previous three outings.

"I knew that's kind of what was going on from the get-go, most guys do when you're in a situation like that," Arrieta said of the perfect-game bid. "But I just wanted to continue to execute pitches and try and pitch deep in the game.

"That was the only couple of thoughts going through my head."

A Cubs pitcher has never thrown a perfect game. The last Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Carlos Zambrano on Sept. 14, 2008.

Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game skid. Welington Castillo knocked in two runs.

Devin Mesoraco homered in his fifth straight game for the Reds, matching a franchise record. He finished with two RBI and two runs scored.

Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey (7-4) failed to continue his domination of the Cubs, giving up four runs on four hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The Reds had won his previous 10 starts against Chicago, during which time Bailey went 7-0.

Cincinnati has won 18 of its last 21 at Wrigley Field.