Chicago, IL – Todd Frazier went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI as the Cincinnati Reds snapped a five-game losing streak with a 10-8 win over the Chicago Cubs in the second installment of a four-game set at Wrigley Field.
Ryan Ludwick had three hits, including a two-run homer, and scored four runs for the Reds, who improved to 20-8 since the All-Star break.
Homer Bailey (10-7) earned the win after giving up four runs on nine hits and striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.
Aroldis Chapman picked up his 26th save after recording the last out of the eighth before tossing a perfect ninth.
"It's a new day. We don't harp on what happened yesterday or the day before," Frazier said. "We just keep doing what we have to do. This is a pretty good win for us, putting 10 runs on the board is nice and getting the 'W', especially at a park like this is pretty nice."
Alfonso Soriano drove in three runs and Starlin Castro had two hits and two RBI for the Cubs, losers in nine of their last 10 games.
Justin Germano (1-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up six runs -- four earned -- on seven hits over 5 2/3 frames.
"You have to go out there and try to pitch around errors and minimize the damage," Germano said. "You have to go out there and shut the other team down to try and keep your team in the ball game."
Chicago had the bases loaded with no outs in the first but were only able to push one run across.
Soriano grounded into a fielder's choice to plate David DeJesus. Bailey struck out Castro before Josh Vitters grounded out to short to end the threat.
The Reds countered with two in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Ludwick singled to left, then scored on Frazier's double. After Germano intentionally walked Devin Mesoraco, Bailey singled to bring home Frazier.
Cincinnati tacked on three more in the third after sloppy defense and a two- run homer from Ludwick.
Brandon Phillips reached on an error before Ludwick belted his 20th homer of the season into the center-field seats. Xavier Paul followed with a single, stole second, then moved to third on a fielding error by Vitters. Mesoraco then ripped a grounder to short, but the ball went under Castro's glove and Paul scored easily.
The Cubs answered with two runs of their own in the home half. Darwin Barney and Anthony Rizzo singled, before both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Soriano then delivered with a double to clear the bases.
The Reds added a pair in the sixth to go up 8-3. Drew Stubbs singled, stole second then scored when Welington Castillo's throw sailed past Castro at second. Center fielder Brett Jackson charged, but missed the overthrow and the ball rolled past him, allowing Stubbs to score easily.
Phillips followed with a double, stole third, then scored on Frazier's base hit.
Castillo's double in the home half plated one and Castro knocked in two in the seventh to make it 8-6.
Castro singled to right before Castillo doubled off the wall with two outs in the sixth.
In the seventh, DeJesus walked and Barney singled to put two on for Castro, who ripped a double down the line.
The Reds scored one in eighth when Frazier singled to bring home Ludwick.
The Cubs scored two in the home half but left the game-tying run on third.
Jackson walked then scored on Castillo's double. DeJesus later doubled to bring home Castillo. DeJesus moved to third when Barney grounded out, but the Reds turned to Chapman, who struck out Rizzo to preserve the lead.
"I'm a little upset today," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "There were a few things that were taken for granted today, and some things aren't acceptable when you take things for granted."
Zack Cozart's double in the ninth brought home Ryan Hanigan to cap the scoring.
Game Notes
Bailey won for the first time since July 20th....Frazier leads all NL rookies with 44 RBI...Castro has 91 multi-hit games since 2011. He is also tied with Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez for the most errors in the majors with 18.
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