CINCINNATI (AP) Miguel Montero doubled home a pair of runs during Chicago's four-run first inning, and Dan Haren pitched into the eighth on Tuesday night, leading the Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds following a long rain delay.
The Cubs already have clinched a spot in the NL wild-card game for their first playoff berth since 2008. They trail Pittsburgh by three games for home-field advantage. The Pirates' game against first-place St. Louis was rained out on Tuesday.
The Reds lost their season-high 10th in a row, their longest slump since they dropped 11 straight in 1998.
Haren (10-9) made his 10th start for the Cubs, who acquired him in a trade with Miami on July 31. The right-hander allowed three hits in 7 1-3 scoreless innings, struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Travis Wood got a game-ending double play for his third save in three chances.
The Reds have scored two runs or less seven times during their slump. They managed only three singles during a 5-1 loss to Washington on Monday.
Josh Smith (0-3) gave up four runs, six hits and five walks in five innings.
Rain held up the first pitch for 2 hours, 31 minutes. The 18th delay at Great American Ball Park brought the season total to 26 hours, 57 minutes. The Cubs also were involved in one of three postponed games at GABP, one that was called off after a 4-hour, 13-minute delay.
That one has stuck in their memory. When manager Joe Maddon walked into the dugout before the game on Tuesday, he looked up at the rain and said, ''Get out! It's raining in Cincinnati?''
It didn't take his team long to take control of the delayed game. Chicago sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning for four runs on the wet field. Montero's double highlighted the 17-minute rally, which included a pair of errors by the Reds.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: CF Billy Hamilton had surgery Tuesday on his right shoulder, injured while trying to make a diving catch. He has to let the shoulder heal for four to six weeks before resuming activities. ... 3B Todd Frazier strained his right Achilles tendon while trying to make a sliding catch of a foul ball. He left the game in the fourth.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Jon Lester (10-12) has struck out 198 batters, four shy of Ken Holtzman's club record from 1970 for strikeouts by a Cubs left-hander. He is 0-0 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts against the Reds this season, although the Cubs have won all three games.
Reds: Anthony DeSclafani (9-12) has lost his last two starts, giving up 12 runs in 11 innings. He allowed a season-high seven runs in a 12-9 loss to the Mets in his last outing.
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