Reds Defeat Cubs 8-2 To Win Series

Now that’s the Homer Bailey Reds fans know and love. The right-hander earned his first win since signing a six-year, $105 million deal in the offseason, the Reds put together an onslaught of extra-base hits and Cincinnati won its second consecutive series by taking the rubber match from the Cubs, 8-2, Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Reds manager Bryan Price said before the game Bailey’s poor start to the season would turn around soon, and that his No. 3 starter was simply struggling with his command. It wasn’t always pretty, but Bailey tossed six shutout innings while scattering six hits, walking three and striking out eight.

Bailey only threw one 1-2-3 inning and had to pitch out of several jams. The Cubs put two on with one out in the first but Bailey got a strike out and pop out to end the inning.

In the third, Emilio Bonifacio singled with one out and tried to take second on a delayed steal. He was initially called safe but Price challenged, and the call was overturned after a review. It was a big overturn for the Reds as Bailey plunked Ryan Sweeney and walked Anthony Rizzo before striking out Nate Schierholtz again.

The Cubs put two more on with one out in the fifth but Bailey retired Rizzo and Schierholtz to strand both runners. Zack Cozart ended the sixth with a nice running catch into the Cubs bullpen down the left-field line, as Chicago had runners on scoring posisition.

The Reds got on the board first with a three-run fourth inning. Todd Frazier singled with one out and scored on Devin Mesoraco’s two-out double. Cozart followed with a RBI double and Bailey helped his own cause with an RBI single to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.

Cincinnati again did damage the following inning with two outs, via the double. Back-to-back doubles by Jay Bruce and Frazier made it 4-0 Reds. Ryan Ludwick got a RBI single, scoring Frazier and chasing Cubs starter Carlos Villanueva.

The Reds went up, 8-0, in the seventh on Bruce’s leadoff solo homer and Cozart hit a two-run shot with two outs.

Manny Parra struggled in the seventh, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while only recording one out. Sam LeCure

Apr 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; The Cincinnati Reds celebrate their win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

came in with the bases loaded and induced Wellington Castillo to hit into an inning-ending double play that kept the Reds lead at 8-2.

The team will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates tomorrow night, start of a four game series as the 10 game road trip continues.

First pitch from PNC Park is at 7:05pm.