Schwarber’s 37th homer ties Cubs record
Playing without CHICAGO —
Anthony Rizzo, the Chicago Cubs turned to Kyle Schwarber. And Nicholas Castellanos. And Alec Mills.
It seemed like everyone helped out.
Schwarber, who grew up in Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School, hit a three-run homer and made a diving catch in left field, and the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight victory.
It was No. 37 for Schwarber, most by a lefty Cubs hitter since Hall of Famer Billy Williams hit 37 in 1972.
Schwarber robbed pinch hitter Derek Dietrich with a stellar grab on his liner to left in the fourth. Phillip Reds at Cubs, 8:05 p.m., FS Ohio, 700, 1410 Ervin’s sacrifice fly cut Chicago’s lead to 3-2, but Steve Cishek struck out Eugenio Suarez looking to end the inning.
Castellanos added a tworun double in the eighth inning as Chicago moved a season-high 14 games above .500. The Cubs have outscored opponents 59-18 during their streak.
“This is the time,” Castellanos said. “We’re facing adversity and we’ve got to stare it down.”
The Cubs (82-68) pulled within a half-game of Washington for the top spot in the wild-card standings and stayed two games back of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which held off the Nationals for a 4-2 win.
Cishek, Mills (1-0), Rowan Wick, Kyle Ryan and David Phelps combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
It was Chicago’s first game since Rizzo had an MRI that showed the big first baseman had a moderate lateral right ankle sprain sustained during Sunday’s 16-6 victory over Pittsburgh. Rizzo will wear a walking boot for five to seven days, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the season.
Cincinnati (70-81) had won three of four, but the Reds went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
Kevin Gausman (3-9) pitched two innings in his first start since the Reds claimed him off waivers from the Braves last month. The right-hander has been a starter for most of his career, and Bell wanted to give him another look.
Gausman got into trouble in the first when Chicago put runners on first and second with one out. Schwarber then connected for the second straight day, driving a 2-2 pitch deep to center.
■ Reds infielder Josh VanMeter left in the fourth because of a family medical issue. He started at first base after Joey Votto was scratched with an illness.
■ Infielder Christian Colon, just promoted from Louisville. was hit by a pitch while batting for Gausman in the third. It was Colon’s first major league appearance since June 20, 2017, for Miami against Washington.