Kyle Hendricks leads Cubs to sweep of the Reds in finale

For rookie right-hander Kyle Hendricks it was just another day at the office, as the Chicago Cubs completed the three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory.

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Hendricks (7-2, 2.28 ERA) scattered seven hits over seven innings of work, allowing a lone run early on and then coasting. He did not walk a batter and struck out four, leading the Cubs (68-84) to their first three-game sweep of the Reds at home since 2009. The lone run allowed by Hendricks was the only tally the Cincinnati offense managed in the three-game set.

After Cincinnati (71-82) plated a run in the top of the first, Chicago bounced back with two of their own in the bottom of the second against Cincinnati starter Daniel Corcino (0-1, 4.40 ERA), who was making just his second start of the year at the big league level. Jorge Soler led off the inning with a walk, which was followed by a single by Luis Valbuena. Two batters later, Chris Valaika singled to left to tie the game before Ryan Kalish lined a ball over the head of the Reds center fielder Yorman Rodriguez. On the fly, the ball landed in the ivy on the brick outfield walls and Rodriguez immediately threw his hands up, giving Kalish a ground-rule double and plating Valbuena to put the Cubs up, 2-1.

Corcino allowed just the pair of runs, pitching into the sixth for the Reds, allowing only three hits and four walks, while striking out six.

Valbuena added an RBI single to left in the bottom of the eighth, providing an insurance run for Chicago as part of a 2-for-4 night for the Cubs third baseman. He was the only Chicago player to tally multiple hits in the win, as the team totaled just five base knocks against Corcino and a trio of Cincinnati relievers.

Closer Hector Rondon nailed down the ninth for his 25th save of the season for the Cubs.

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