Suarez, Reds deny Cubs' Lester 20th win
CINCINNATI -- Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run home run and Joey Votto doubled twice and drove in three runs, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on a cloudy, cool Saturday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
Ben Zobrist homered for the National League Central champion Cubs, who are 14-4 against the Reds this season, including an 8-3 mark at Great American. Zobrist went deep twice on Friday.
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (19-5) fell short in his pursuit of 20 victories, allowing five earned runs on six hits over five innings.
Lester hit Jose Peraza to begin the game, and the Reds shortstop later scored on a groundout.
In the second, Suarez's two-run homer on a 3-1 pitch, his 21st of the season, put Cincinnati ahead 3-0. Suarez drove home another run with a sacrifice fly in the third to make the score 4-0.
Lester, who was going to be kept at around 100 pitches, had 44 through two innings. He finished with 111 pitches through five.
The Cubs got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Jason Heyward's liner sailed over the head of right fielder Patrick Kivlehan who was making his first start, to plate two runs. Javier Baez followed with an RBI single to make the score 4-3.
The Cubs loaded the bases against Reds starter Tim Adleman with two outs in the fifth, but Zobrist flew out to right to end the inning.
Adleman (4-4) allowed three runs on six hits over five innings to earn the victory. Raisel Iglesias earned his sixth save.
Ivan De Jesus Jr. doubled and scored on Votto's double to extend Cincinnati's lead to two. They had consecutive doubles again in the seventh to make the score 6-3.
Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman pitched at Great American for the first time since being traded by the Reds last December. He allowed a hit and had two strikeouts.
NOTES: Cubs CF Dexter Fowler singled in the seventh for career hit No. 1,000. ... The Cubs will have a simulated game on Tuesday at Wrigley Field, including starters John Lackey and Jason Hammel, and relievers. Manager Joe Maddon said regulars can participate, but it's optional. ... The Cubs will work out at Wrigley on Wednesday in advance of Friday's National League Division Series opener. ... Maddon expects to announce his postseason rotation by Tuesday. ... Reds 2B Brandon Phillips remains sidelined with a deep bone bruise in his left hand. He hasn't played since Tuesday.