Reds 0 - 1 Cubs
Final
  for this game

Reds pay another visit to Wrigley Field

Sep 15, 2014 - 2:38 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - If the Cincinnati Reds could play the Chicago Cubs every day, they might just be the playoff team that the 2014 schedule says they're not.

The Reds return to Wrigley Field on Monday night to open a three-game series with the host Cubs in a meeting of the fourth- and fifth-place teams in a top- heavy National League Central Division.

Cincinnati has won all but three of its last 22 games in Chicago over the last two seasons. The Reds arrive after dropping two of three games in a trip- beginning series at Milwaukee, which touched the Cincinnati bullpen for six earned runs in two innings in the finale on Sunday.

Fortunately for the visitors, Monday's starter -- Alfredo Simon -- has been self-sufficient against the Cubs this season, winning three decisions with a 1.40 earned run average.

In 13 innings at Wrigley, he's allowed exactly one earned run.

An NL all-star at midseason before beginning a nightmarish second half, Simon righted the ship temporarily with a 4-2 defeat of St. Louis in his last start on Wednesday, allowed two runs in seven innings to earn his second victory in 11 starts.

He's not won away from home since June 18.

Simon is opposed by ex-Red Travis Wood, who was racked for seven runs while retiring just five batters in a 10-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Sept. 7.

He was given an extra day of rest before being slotted for Monday's game.

"I think it's been a little bit of hit and miss," manager Rick Renteria said. "I think Travis is a much better pitcher than he's probably shown, and I think he'd be the first one to tell you that."

Wood's only win in his last five starts -- during which he's 1-3 with a 6.08 ERA -- came against the Reds on Aug. 26. He's 2-1 with a 1.47 ERA in his last three starts against Cincinnati.

Chicago will get rookie outfielder Jorge Soler back on Monday after he missed three games for the birth of his first child. He's 4-for-8 against the Reds.

On Sunday in Milwaukee, Matt Clark hit a three-run homer to highlight a five- run seventh inning as the Brewers topped the Reds, 9-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Miller Park.

Todd Frazier hit a solo home run in the sixth for the Reds, while Mike Leake (11-12) allowed three runs on eight hits and walked three over six innings.

In Pittsburgh, Neil Walker went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI and was part of an around-the-horn triple play that sparked the Pirates' 7-3 victory over the Cubs.

Jacob Turner (5-10) was knocked around for seven runs on seven hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings for the Cubs.






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