Cubs fall to Reds 4-2 in game one of twinbill

The struggles on the road continued for Travis Wood (7-7, 4.64) as a three-run first was enough for the Cincinnati Reds (47-42) to hold off the Chicago Cubs (38-50) in game one of the doubleheader 4-2.

Wood allowed a two-run home run to Jay Bruce in the first, and once again saw his pitch count climb, keeping him from finishing the sixth. Allowing eight to bat in the first inning will do that. He finished with a line of 5 1/3 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, on 8 hits. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last four starts.

Chris Coghlan and Ryan Sweeney went back-to-back in the sixth, but it was too little, too late as the outcome was already decided.

Johnny Cueto (9-6, 2.03) pitched well again, going 6 1/3 innings allowing only two runs. He actually saw his ERA climb from 1.99.

The Cubs tried to rally in the ninth on closer Aroldis Chapman, getting the tying run to first, but Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging to end the game.

The Cubs will face the Reds in game two of the doubleheader at 6:10 pm CT as Tsuyoshi Wada makes his MLB debut against the Reds David Holmberg.