Santiago Espinal extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-run homer in the second inning, and the Cincinnati Reds managed to win 6-3 against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. This victory helped the Reds in their series against the Cubs, both of whom are trying to stay in the playoff race.
TJ Friedl drove in two runs with a hit in the first inning, Tyler Stephenson also added an RBI during a three-run second inning, and Spencer Steer contributed with a double in the eighth to drive in another run.
Tony Santillan took the mound for the Reds because Frankie Montas, the scheduled starter, was traded to Milwaukee earlier in the day. The Reds used seven pitchers to limit the Cubs to three runs and seven hits.
Nick Martinez (5-5) threw four scoreless innings to earn the win, and Alexis Díaz closed out the game with his 21st save in 23 chances.
With Montas traded, Martinez might be making a case to join the starting rotation.
“I’m fighting to get into the playoffs,” Martinez said. “So that’s where my focus is. And if (starting) is where they think we have our best chances, yeah, put me in the rotation. If they think the role that I have now, our best chances to make the playoffs, lets rock’n’roll.”
Cody Bellinger returned from a 10-day injury list—due to a fractured middle finger—and hit a two-run homer for the Cubs in the sixth inning. Reds reliever Fernando Cruz threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, allowing another run for the Cubs in the seventh.
Cubs starter Justin Steele (2-5) pitched six innings, giving up five runs and six hits while striking out seven.
“(Steele) didn’t have good command,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He didn’t get any easy outs.”
Espinal, 29, had his first career four-hit game and came close to hitting for the cycle, needing a triple. Stephenson also had three hits for the Reds.
