Reds edge Cubs 3-2

TJ Friedl hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds held off the Chicago Cubs for a 3-2 win on Monday night.

Tyler Stephenson homered for Cincinnati, and Elly De La Cruz had an RBI double. The Reds (59-54) had dropped four of six.

Dansby Swanson hit his 17th homer for the Cubs (65-47), who fell three games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee.

Both starters, Cincinnati’s Nick Lodolo and Chicago’s Michael Soroka, exited with injuries.

Pitching on his 28th birthday, Soroka departed his Cubs debut after two innings because of right shoulder discomfort. He was acquired in a trade with Washington last week.

Ben Brown replaced Soroka and tossed four innings of one-run ball.

Zack Littell (8-8, 3.58 ERA) makes his Cincinnati debut on Tuesday night, and left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-4, 3.25 ERA) starts for Chicago. Littell was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay last week.


(AP Photo Paul Beaty)