Cubs 5, Reds 0
CHICAGO -- Left-hander Travis Wood scattered three hits and struck out seven over seven-plus scoreless innings as the Chicago Cubs blanked the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on a frigid Wednesday night.
Wood (1-1) worked into the eighth inning before allowing two runners with none out and departing.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo clubbed his first home run of the season -- a two-run shot in the opening inning -- while center fielder Dexter Fowler had two hits and scored twice and shortstop Starlin Castro went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Chicago (5-3) took two of three from Cincinnati (5-4) which has dropped four of five.
Reds starter Jason Marquis (0-1) worked four innings in his second appearance of the season.
Following Wood's departure, left-handed reliever Phil Coke coaxed pinch hitter Kristopher Negron to ground into a double play while center fielder Billy Hamilton then grounded to third.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips went 2-for-4 to lead the Reds.
Fowler's lead-off double to right opened the Cubs' first inning. He scored as Rizzo's bomb hit between steel beams in the still-under-construction field bleachers for a 2-0 lead.
The Cubs added two runs in the third, the first on second baseman Jonathan Herrera's one-out single that scored Castro. Later in the inning Marquis faced a bases-loaded situation with two outs and hit right fielder Jorge Soler with a pitch to force in third baseman Arismendy Alcantara.
Catcher Miguel Montero's fourth-inning sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out brought home Fowler.
Wood didn't allow a runner until the fourth when he walked first baseman Joey Votto. Then Phillips laced a single to right field.
Marquis didn't return for the fifth, pulled for a pinch hitter. He allowed five runs, including four earned, and seven hits. He struck out six and walked three.
After a warm afternoon, temperatures plunged into the mid-40s by first pitch and a brisk north wind off Lake Michigan made for a 36-degree wind chill.
NOTES: The Reds were 12-for-12 in stolen-base attempts entering Wednesday, their best start since the 1987 club went 15-for-15. CF Billy Hamilton led the big leagues with eight. ... 2B Brandon Phillips was back in the starting lineup after leaving Tuesday's game with lightheadedness after a collision with Cubs SS Starlin Castro at third base. ... The Reds are off Thursday before opening a three-game weekend series in St. Louis. RHP Johnny Cueto (0-1, 0.64 ERA) goes against Cardinals' RHP Michael Wacha (1-0, 1.42 ERA) on Friday. ... Both teams wore No. 42 jerseys on Wednesday to mark the 68th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier in 1947. ... The Cubs' bullpen continues to sparkle, with a 1.50 ERA and .193 opponent average. ... Chicago manager Joe Maddon slotted LHP Travis Wood No. 8 in the batting order, the eighth straight game a pitcher has batted outside the accustomed No. 9 slot. ... RF Jorge Soler entered Wednesday batting .458 (11-for-24) with four walks, two doubles and four homers in seven games against the Reds. ... The Cubs have Thursday off before opening a three-game weekend series against the Padres. After the Cubs played four of their first five home games at night, the Padres series features all 1:20 p.m. starts. Chicago RHP Jason Hammel (1-0, 4.50 ERA) goes against Padres RHP James Shields (1-0, 2.08 ERA) on Friday.