Chicago Cubs vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score on Aug 23, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 23, 2017

CINCINNATI -- Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run home run, Tommy La Stella added a two-run shot, and Mike Montgomery allowed four hits through six innings, lifting the Chicago Cubs to their fifth straight win, a 9-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park.

Chicago (68-57) moved to a season-high 11 games over the .500 mark and now owns a season-high 3 1/2-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the National League Central.

The Cubs played without third baseman Kris Bryant, who was hit on the hand by a pitch during the ninth inning on Tuesday night. But La Stella took over for Bryant at third base and went 1-for-2 with a homer, two RBIs and a walk. He reached base four times.

Montgomery (4-6), who moved into the rotation when Jon Lester went on the disabled list, is considered a candidate to be in the starting rotation for the Cubs in 2018.

On Wednesday, Montgomery issued one walk and struck out four. He retired 10 of the final 11 batters.

Cincinnati (53-74) has lost three straight games and has dropped nine of the past 12 series against Chicago.

Joey Votto hit a solo homer in the ninth, his 33rd of the season, off Hector Rondon, helping the Reds avoid their fourth shutout loss this season and third at home.

Cincinnati wasn't finished with Rondon, who allowed back-to-back homers by Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler before recording the final out.

Reds starter Asher Wojciechowski (3-3) needed 35 pitches to get through the first inning. He walked three, including La Stella, with the bases loaded to force in a run.

Jason Heyward's RBI single coupled with a throwing error by Reds left fielder Adam Duvall scored two runs, putting the Cubs ahead 3-0.

Heyward came through again in the third when he drove home Rizzo who had doubled, with another RBI hit, putting Chicago ahead 4-0.

Cubs shortstop Javier Baez made a sliding stab of Votto's hard grounder to start a 6-4-3 double play to end the third inning after the Reds had runners on first and second.

Schwarber then launched a three-run, opposite-field homer, his 21st of the season, to make the score 7-0. There was a 1-minute, 14-second crew chief review to determine the ball did clear the left field wall.

Wojciechowski allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 3 2/3 innings.

Chicago led 9-0 in the fourth after La Stella hit a two-run homer, his third of the season, off right-hander Alejandro Chacin, who was making his major league debut.

NOTES: Cubs LHP Jon Lester threw on the side on Wednesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Philadelphia. Next steps will be determined after Friday's bullpen. Lester is on the disabled list with lat tightness and shoulder fatigue. ... Reds RHP Luke Farrell was recalled from Triple-A Louisville and RHP Alejandro Chacin had his contract selected from Louisville. The Reds also optioned OF Phillip Ervin to Triple-A, and RHP Blake Wood was designated for assignment. Farrell allowed one hit over three innings in his Reds debut.