After dropping Friday night's series opener, the Chicago Cubs will try to halt their five-game losing skid on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.
The Reds trailed 3-0 early in Friday's contest but managed to take control with a five-run fourth inning, eventually making claim to a 7-4 win. The Reds have won four in a row and 12 of 15, and they are now a season-high 12 games over .500.
Joey Votto and Ryan Hanigan both homered in fourth inning, while Brandon Phillips added a two-run shot in the eighth. Votto and Phillips both finished with two hits, as did Zach Cozart.
Votto, who leads the league in hitting at .361, extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
Bronson Arroyo (5-4) earned the win, allowing three runs in six innings of work, although he was not exactly pleased with his effort.
"I didn't feel great the whole game, to be honest," Arroyo said. "They ran seven left-handers against me. It was a grind for me."
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth innings for his 11th save.
Scott Feldman (4-4) was saddled with the loss for the Cubs after allowing seven hits and five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, although he did help himself with a two-run home run in the second inning.
Luis Valbuena had two hits and an RBI in the losing effort.
The Cubs will send out Travis Wood to the mound on Saturday and despite the team's struggles this season Wood has been nothing short of outstanding. He is boasting a 4-2 record with a 2.24 ERA while allowing just 37 hits over 60 1/3 innings of work.
The 26-year old left-hander earned a no-decision on May 19 against the Mets, going seven innings while surrendering five hits and three earned runs. He has pitched nine consecutive quality starts to begin the season.
Wood faced Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark back on April 22, pitching 6 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out five in a no- decision.
The Reds will counter with another impressive youngster in Homer Bailey, who, despite his 2-3 record, has been strong with a 3.09 ERA.
The 27-year old pitched seven scoreless innings against the Phillies on May 19, allowing just five hits and one walk, but the Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat after Chapman allowed back-to-back homers in the ninth inning.
Despite owning a 5.12 ERA in 58 career innings against the Cubs, Bailey is 5-2 versus the NL Central rivals.
The Reds have owned the Cubs of late, winning 18 of 23 contests over the past two seasons.
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