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The Chicago Cubs backed Mike Montgomery with 9 runs in his return to the rotation as they beat the Cincinnati Reds. Kyle Schwarber and Tommy La Stella homered as the Cubs won their fifth straight.
The Chicago Cubs got what they were looking for out of Mike Montgomery. Montgomery went six innings, shutting down the Cincinnati Reds on four hits while striking out four to pick up the win. It was his return to the rotation in place of the injured Jon Lester, and he didn’t disappoint.
The Cubs (68-57) jumped out to the early lead, scoring three times in the first on the Reds (53-74). Jason Heyward followed a Tommy La Stella bases loaded walk with a RBI single. Heyward did it again in the third with another run-scoring single off of Reds starter Asher Wojciechowski (3-3, 6.13).
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The Cubs exploded in the fourth when Kyle Schwarber connected for a three-run shot, followed later by a two-run home run by La Stella. Very similar to last night, Hector Rondon came in for mop-up duty. And like Felix Pena, it wasn’t a pretty performance for Rondon.
He allowed three home runs to the Reds, even though the game was out of reach. It was the second consecutive night the Cubs allowed three runs in the ninth inning.
The Cubs have scored 22 runs over the past two games and will look to finish off the sweep tomorrow.
Montgomery’s performance in returning to the rotation was good news for the Cubs. Lester’s absence hurts the Cubs, but his ability to fill in adequately could be a key down the stretch.
The Cubs will go for the sweep tomorrow night as the red-hot Jake Arrieta (13-8, 3.63) goes for his 14th win against the Reds rookie Sal Romano (3-5, 5.23). It’s another 6:10 p.m. CT start from the Great American Ballpark.