Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Marlon Byrd hit a three-run home run as the Cincinnati Reds downed the Chicago White Sox, 10-4, in the opener of Saturday's double-header.
Skip Schumaker drove in two runs while Brandon Phillips and Zack Cozart each scored twice for the Reds, who have won three of their last four. Johnny Cuteo (3-3) pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out seven in the win.
Alexei Ramirez and Jose Abreu hit solo homers for the White Sox, who have lost seven of nine.
Starter Hector Noesi left in the second inning after getting hit in the hip with a line drive. Scott Carroll (0-1) took the loss after giving up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The doubleheader was made necessary when Friday's series opener was rained out.
The Reds had a runner on third and one out in the third when Phillips hit a bouncer to the left of the plate. Tyler Flowers fielded the ball and went to first for the force out, then Abreu threw back to Flowers, who put the tag on Todd Frazier for the 2-3-2 double play.
Cincinnati threatened again in the fourth as Cozart doubled with one out and stole third. Schumaker then hit a liner to right that Avisail Garcia fielded before throwing home where Flowers tagged out Cozart for another inning-ending double play.
The Reds finally got on the board in the sixth. With runners on the corners and one out, Cozart hit into a fielder's choice to plate the first run of the game. Schumaker followed with an RBI double for a 2-0 lead.
A run-scoring groundout from Jay Bruce in the seventh staked the Reds to a 3-0 advantage.
Ramirez got the White Sox on the board in the seventh with his first home run of the season, a solo shot over the wall in left.
Cincinnati blew the game wide open in the ninth inning. Phillips and Schumaker singled in a run each before Kristopher Negron walked to force in another run. After a sac fly from Billy Hamilton, Byrd clubbed a three-run home run for a 10-1 lead.
Abreu homered to leadoff the ninth, while Conor Gillaspie and Ramirez drove in a run each later in the frame to account for the final score.
Game Notes
Cincinnati was 5-for-19 with runners in scoring position, and stranded 11 ... Cueto improved to 2-2 in four road starts this season.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.