Reds deal Cubs seventh straight loss behind Gray, Votto
CINCINNATI (AP) - Joey Votto hit a two-run double in the sixth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds handed the Chicago Cubs their seventh straight loss with a 2-1 victory Friday night.
Cincinnati also got a strong performance from Sonny Gray, who struck out eight in five innings in his first big league start since June 8. He had been sidelined by a strained right groin.
Gray allowed one run and five hits before five relievers combined for four scoreless innings. Josh Osich (1-0) got one out for the win, and Heath Hembree worked the ninth for his second save.
Ian Happ singled for Chicago with two out in the ninth, but pinch-hitter Rafael Ortega struck out swinging for the final out.
The Cubs wasted a solid start by Alec Mills (3-2), who breezed through the first five innings, allowing just one hit.
With two on in the sixth, Chicago manager David Ross called on left-hander Adam Morgan to face the lefty Votto with two outs. Votto responded with a liner to right for the double.
Cincinnati Reds' Nick Castellanos (2) celebrates after scoring a run on a two-run RBI-double by Joey Votto during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Jason Heyward drove in the only run for the Cubs with a two-out double in the fourth. The Cubs finished with six hits.
TRAINERS ROOM
Cubs: CF Kris Bryant (side) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (back) returned to the lineup. 3B Patrick Wisdom also was back after leaving Wednesday´s game with a stiff neck and eye contusion from a collision with Milwaukee´s Tyrone Taylor while playing first base.
Reds: CF Tyler Naquin (sore right wrist) returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Saturday. He got two at-bats off the bench in the Padres series. ... Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance in the Arizona rookie league. He hasn´t pitched for the Reds this season but could rejoin the club after the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
The Reds send right-hander Tyler Mahle (7-3) to the mound on Saturday against Chicago right-hander Adbert Alzolay (4-7) on Saturday. Mahle allowed four runs and six hits in six innings in a loss to Atlanta last Sunday. Alzolay also had a rough outing Sunday, lasting just three innings in a loss to the Dodgers.
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Cincinnati Reds' Kyle Farmer dives and fields the ball hit by Chicago Cubs' Patrick Wisdom during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Reds' Sonny Gray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Chicago Cubs' Alec Mills throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Reds' Jesse Winker takes the field prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward watches his RBI double during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras slides into second base after hitting a double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant high-fives teammates after scoring a run during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Friday, July 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
