Cubs Recap: Kyle Schwarber’s two-run homer holds off Reds

Baez returns to starting lineup; DeSclafani tough early

The Chicago Cubs found themselves in another tough battle with the last-place Cincinnati Reds behind a strong performance by right-hander Anthony DeSclafani who cruised through the early innings with a 1-0 lead.

Rookie slugger Kyle Schwarber later clubbed a go-ahead two-run bomb to left field in the seventh to give his club a 5-4 lead. It would be good enough to hold off the Reds (54-77) who claimed the first game of this series yesterday evening.

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Chicago’s (75-56) veteran starter, Dan Haren, gave up a towering blast to N.L. MVP candidate in Joey Votto — his 26th long ball of the season and his first of two RBI of the night.

After Schwarber worked a four-pitch walk to lead off the bottom half of the fourth, Chris Coghlan pushed him into scoring position by grounding out to Brandon Phillips at second base.

Kris Bryant scored Schwarber from second on a high pop-up that dropped between Jay Bruce and Votto in right field, tying the game up at one apiece.

DeSclafani helped out his own cause by giving himself a one-run lead on an RBI single to left field, pushing catcher Tucker Barnhart across to score shortly after he doubled to center.

Votto’s second RBI of the evening came on a double to a diving Schwarber who had the ball bounce off the tip of his glove. Thankfully, it didn’t roll towards the ivy.

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With two runners on and Bryant at the dish with another RBI opportunity, the young third baseman came through with a clutch single which scored Schwarber for the second time.

Miguel Montero followed that up with an RBI knock of his own on a sharp groundball to center field which allowed Coghlan to even things up at three-all.

Returning Javier Baez – who struck out and flew out to right early on – grounded out to the catch to retire the side. Baez would finish the night 0-for-4 and replaced Addison Russell at short.

Hector Rondon entered the game in the ninth and retired the side in order to record his 25th save of the campaign. Fernando Rodney was issued the win despite giving up the then go-ahead homer to Eugenio Suarez in the seventh.

Outfielder Austin Jackson made his Cubs debut as a pinch-hitter and took over for Coghlan in right field. Jackson went 0-for-2 with a groundout and strikeout.

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