Reds 2, Cubs 1
Mike Leake pitched eight strong innings in his final start of the season and Brandon Phillips homered as the Cincinnati Reds snapped a three-game slide with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Leake (12-9), who is expected to be shut down due to an innings limit, put together one of his best outings. The 23-year old righthander allowed one run on six hits and induced 16 groundouts to drop his season ERA below 4.00 to 3.86.
Edgar Renteria singled in a run among three hits and rookie Yonder Alonso posted his ninth multi-hit effort in 13 starts for the Reds, who pulled back within four games of .500 with 14 left to play.
Phillips gave Leake a run to play with in the first, when he led off the frame with an opposite-field blast. It was his third homer in the last two games, lifting his season total to 15.
Renteria’s RBI single in the fifth scored Leake, who had reached on a fielder’s choice.
Francisco Cordero worked a perfect ninth for his 33rd save.
Ryan Dempster (10-12) was the tough-luck loser for Chicago, striking out eight over seven innings.