Cubs 6, Reds 1
Darwin Barney recorded three hits, an RBI and two runs scored and Starlin Castro added an RBI triple as host Chicago snapped a six-game slide.
Steve Clevenger chipped in three hits and an RBI and David DeJesus scored a pair for the Cubs, who finally coaxed a quality start out of Paul Maholm.
Chicago had allowed an average of 7.2 runs during its losing streak while topping three runs itself only once in that span. Maholm (1-2) had been the worst offender on the starting staff, failing to record an out in the fifth inning in either of his first two turns and entering Saturday with a 13.50 ERA.
But the veteran left-hander was sharp against the Reds, allowing one run on four hits in six innings while striking out five and walking three.
The Cubs wasted little time solving their offensive woes, taking advantage of Mike Leake (0-2) for a run in the first inning and four more in the second. Clevenger started the second-inning rally with a single and came in to score on Joe Mather’s double.
DeJesus, Barney and Castro each followed with two-out RBI hits.
Leake was charged with five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 frames.
GAME NOTEBOOK: After winning the 10,000th game in franchise history on Friday, Cincinnati picked up its 9,711th loss. … Chicago’s 14 hits marked a season high. … The Cubs placed right-hander Ryan Dempster (quad) on the 15-day disabled list Saturday.