Lester (4-1) faced one batter over the minimum through the first four innings and held the Reds hitless until Scooter Gennett led off the fourth with a sharp one-hopper past diving first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The left-hander allowed Cincinnati’s only two hits and one walk with a season-high eight strikeouts and even contributed a safety squeeze sacrifice bunt while Chicago was breaking the game open with a two-run fifth inning.
The Reds, coming off a successful 5-2 road trip through Los Angeles and San Francisco, managed just two baserunners before Adam Duvall hit Lester’s first pitch of the fifth inning out to left field for his ninth home run.
The Cubs were happy just to be playing after seeing their game on Thursday at Atlanta postponed by rain before it even started after waiting for 2 hours, 20 minutes. They tattooed Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey, building a 3-0 lead by the time Bailey threw his 19th pitch. Chicago’s first five batters all got hits before interim pitching coach Danny Darwin visited the mound.
Bailey (1-6) allowed 10 hits in five or fewer innings for the second consecutive game. Opponents have reached the right-hander for 28 hits in 13 2/3 innings over his last three games. He gave up six runs and issued five walks with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: OF Jason Heyward was activated before the game from the seven-day concussion disabled list.
Reds: 3B Eugenio Suarez returned to the starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s game at San Francisco with a right ankle injury he suffered on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (3-3) will start the first game of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader. LHP Jose Quintana is scheduled to start the nightcap.
Reds: RHP Luis Castillo (3-4) is the projected starter for the first game of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader with RHP Sal Romano (2-4) starting the nightcap.
»RELATED: Reds have played winning baseball since 3-18 start
»RELATED: Prospect to resume baseball activity
About the Author