REDS 8, CUBS 4

Red bull

The Cubs dropped their second game to the Reds in as many days. They went scoreless through seven innings after going scoreless through six Thursday. Top prospect Eloy Jimenez hit a solo homer and prospect

Yasiel Balaguert a three- run shot in the Cubs’ four- run eighth.

Heyward watch

Bounce- back hopeful Jason

Heyward walked, grounded to first and struck out in his fifth game as he tries to load up on at- bats. He’s 0- for- 13 with two walks. “I just want him to be comfortable,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I’ve liked his at- bats.”

Not a full Monty

Lefty Mike Montgomery reached 31 pitches by the end of a five- batter first inning and had his request for a second inning declined in his second start. Part of that might have been the “60- something pitches” he threw in the bullpen Wednesday to rediscover a feel he said was missing. He gave up an unearned run and struck out three. Five of his six outs this spring have come on strikeouts.

Tough inning

Right- hander Aaron Brooks struggled in the third, allowing consecutive singles to load the bases. Then he hit Eugenio

Suarez with a pitch, got a tough out on a line drive to first and hit

Dilson Herrera with a pitch. At that point, he was pulled. Dallas

Beeler took over, immediately hit another batter and walked a fourth run in before getting the final two outs of the inning.

La Stella returns

Infielder TommyLa Stella, who had been held out of games because of a tight hamstring, flied out in two at- bats and handled second base without issue. On deck Dodgers at Cubs, Mesa, 2: 05 p. m., Ch. 9, cubs. com audio, Kenta Maeda vs. Kyle Hendricks. — Gordon Wittenmyer