Castro’s RBI single in 9th lifts Cubs past Reds
Jun 13, 2015, 10:18 PM
Chicago Cubs' Starlin Castro hits the game-winning single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, June 13, 2015, in Chicago. The Cubs won 4-3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
CHICAGO (AP) — Starlin Castro’s RBI single in the ninth inning lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night in a rain-delayed game.
Kris Bryant led off the ninth with a double before Miguel Montero was hit by a pitch to bring up Castro, who singled to center field off Tony Cingrani (0-3).
Jason Motte (3-1) allowed two hits and struck out one in scoreless ninth for the Cubs, who have won five of seven.
Eugenio Suarez tied the game for the Reds in the top of the sixth with a two-run home run off James Russell soon after the game was resumed from a 2-hour, 48-minute rain delay.
The Wrigley Field videoboards showed Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning. At one point, fans were urged to seek shelter due to lightning. A fan ran onto the field after the Blackhawks took the lead and was caught in center field. Chicago won 2-1 to take a 3-2 series lead.
Neither starting pitcher returned after the rain delay. Kyle Hendricks struck out seven in five innings. Mike Leake allowed five hits in five innings.
Montero hit a two-run home run, his ninth, on the first pitch he saw from Leake in the second. Montero has three home runs in four games.
Bryant scored after he singled to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.
Joey Votto’s solo home run, his 14th, made it a one-run game in the fourth. It was his first homer since he hit three June 9 against the Phillies. Todd Frazier followed with a double and attempted to score but was tagged out in a rundown between third and home when Kristopher Negron reached on an infield single.
Bryant scored from third on a fielder’s choice for a two-run lead in the fourth. He was initially ruled out at home on a throw from shortstop Suarez, but the call was overturned after a 3-minute, 55-second review. Suarez is filling in for Zack Cozart, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Wednesday.
The Cubs had a chance to take the lead in the eighth. Addison Russell led off with a double, but was picked off when he slipped trying to get back to second after Dexter Fowler missed a bunt. The Cubs had runners at the corners after a reviewed Chris Coghlan infield single.
Anthony Rizzo grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Reds had two in scoring position in the ninth before Skip Schumaker’s inning-ending groundout.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips (groin) remained out of the starting lineup for the third straight game. He pinch hit Friday and Saturday. “Until I see him make more explosive movements, I don’t think he’ll start,” manager Bryan Price said.
UP NEXT
Reds RHP Anthony DeSclafani (5-4, 3.53 ERA) will start against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (4-5, 4.25) in the series finale.
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