Cubs defeat Reds, 4-3, on late-inning RBI hit

CHICAGO (AP) — Frank Schwindel hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs topped the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday for their season-high seventh straight win.

Schwindel’s single through the right side scored Alfonso Rivas, who started the rally with a pinch-hit single off Michael Lorenzen (0-2) and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Schwindel is batting .441 (15 for 34) with six homers and 14 RBIs during his cur- rent eight-game hitting streak.

Codi Heuer, Scott Effross (2-0) and Adam Morgan combined for four scoreless innings in relief of Justin Steele. Morgan got three outs for his second save.

Chicago’s bullpen has allowed two earned runs in its last 35 innings.

Ian Happ hit a three-run homer in the first for the Cubs. Happ is batting .349 (30 for 86) with eight homers and 20 RBIs in his last 23 games.

After allowing the homer to Happ, Reds starter Sonny Gray retired 15 of his final 16 batters.

ROSS STILL BOSS

Despite being sidelined by a positive COVID-19 test, Cubs manager David Ross continues to submit the lineup. Green said he often speaks to Ross multiple times before and after games.

Ross and President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who also was vaccinated and tested positive, will be required to remain in isolation through Sept. 12.

TRAINERS ROOM

Cubs: INF David Bote (right ankle sprain) was activated from the 10-day injured list. INF Austin Romine was designated for assignment. … INF Nico Hoerner (right oblique strain) performed baseball drills prior to Monday’s game but isn’t close to returning.

UP NEXT

Reds left-hander Wade Miley (11-5, 2.97 ERA) starts Tuesday night. Miley allowed five runs and 12 hits in four innings in a 5-4 loss to the Cardinals on Sept. 1. Right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-1, 1.59 ERA) pitches for the Cubs.