Villanueva gives up 5 runs, Cubs fall in series finale 8-2

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Reds hit seven two-out hits for four combined runs in the third and fourth innings en route to a 8-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds (8-10) win also kept the Cubs (5-12) from their first series victory in 2014.

In the third, Emilio Bonifacio walked then stole second for the second time on the day before Reds’ manager Bryan Price called for a review. After a 1:38 minute review, the call was overturned. Ryan Sweeney was hit by a pitch and Anthony Rizzo walked to put two runners on, but Nate Schierholtz struck out to end the potential rally.

Devin Mesoraco hit a RBI double down the third base line to score Scott Frazier from first then Zack Cozart added another double off the ivy in left to score Mesoraco for a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Homer Bailey helped out his own cause with a ground ball base hit to give the Reds a 3-0 after the fourth.

Scott Frazier hit the Reds’ third double to left on the day to make it 4-0 in the fifth before Ryan Ludwick knocked in another run to chase Cubs’ starter Carlos Villanueva (1-4, 10.93 ERA) off the mound at 103 pitches.

Villanueva gave up five earned runs on nine hits, struck out seven and walked one over 4 2/3 innings. Wesley Wright entered in relief.

The Cubs looked to rally in the bottom of the fifth when Valbuena walked and Sweeney singled to put runners on before Rizzo struck out and Schierholtz flied out to center.

Bailey (1-1, 5.75 ERA) gave up six hits, struck out eight and walked three over six scoreless innings.

In the seventh, Jay Bruce hit a solo blast and Cozart added a two-run shot off Jose Veras (0-0, 15.43 ERA) to left-center for a 8-0.

Bonifacio hit a leadoff double then scored on Sweeney’s RBI single to right off Manny Parra (0-0, 4.00 ERA) before Schierholtz knocked in another run to make cut the deficit to 8-2. Mike Olt walked to load the bases then Castillo grounded into a 4-3 double play to end the rally.

The Cubs will continue their seven-game home stand with a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting on Monday night. Travis Wood (0-2, 3.00 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs against D-backs’ Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 9.95 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. CST on CSN+ and WGN-AM 720.

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