Reds Fall To Cubs 8-4

Apr 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) steals second base as Chicago Cubs second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (64) takes the throw during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

After scoring only one run in their previous three games, the Chicago Cubs’ offense woke up Saturday.

Mike Olt, Darwin Barney and Welington Castillo hit home runs for the Cubs, who matched their season-high total for runs in an 8-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cubs snapped a five-game losing streak while the Reds saw their three-game winning streak end.

The Reds cut the lead to 3-2 in the sixth. Devin Mesoraco hit an RBI double and another run scored on Zack Cozart’s groundout. But the Reds stranded a runner at third when pinch hitter Brayan Pena flew out to right to end the inning.

The Cubs got insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Barney hit a two-run home run, his first of the season, off Logan Ondrusek, and Junior Lake drove in another run on a single to push the lead to 6-2.

The Reds came back with two runs in the seventh. Jay Bruce singled in a run, and the second run scored on third baseman Olt’s error on Chris Heisey’s grounder, but Heisey was thrown out at second.

Castillo hit his third home run, a two-run shot in the seventh for the final run of the game.

Cubs starter Edwin Jackson allowed two runs and scattered eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Reds starter Tony Cingrani gave up three runs in five innings. He has not allowed more than three runs in an outing this season. He struck out three, but walked four.

The Reds had won 24 of their last 30 games against the Cubs and 16-of-17 at Wrigley Field.

After scoring only one run in their previous three games, the Cubs built a 3-0 lead through five innings.

Emilio Bonifacio led off with a single, advanced on a walk and scored on Justin Ruggiano’s single off Cingrani in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.

Chicago extended its lead to 2-0 in the second on Olt’s solo home run off Cingrani. Olt’s third home run of the season came on the first pitch.

The Cubs went ahead 3-0 in the third when Starlin Castro grounded into a forceout with the bases loaded.

Jackson struck out five in the first five innings.

Series finale will be tomorrow after on Easter, it will be Homer Bailey, trying to get back to himself, he’s 0-1 with an ERA over eight. The Cubs will send it Carlos Villanueva.

First pitch is at 2:20pm again, TV: FSN OHO, RADIO: 700 WLW.