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The trick for the Reds in the last three games of the season is to sweep to avoid its second 100-loss season in franchise history.
The Reds lost 101 gamaes 40 years ago in 1982.
The Reds put off the unthinkable witha 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Hunter Greene started for the Reds, who camin inton the game with a six-game losing streak.
"I love what Lee said our bullpen coach (Lee Tunnel). He said treat it like your debut. My mindset was to give our team a chance to win," Greene said. "To finish strong was my focus tonight. I put so much work in during my time off and to see it pay off was a good feeling. I have a lot of work to do going into the off season. I'm embracing that and I can't wait until next year."
Their opponents the Chicago Cubs were riding a seven-game winning streak that includes a three-game sweep of the Reds in Chicago this past weekend.
The three-game season ending series is a make up to the first week of the season, delayed by the owners lockout.
The Reds scratched out two earned runs against Cubs' starter, Hayden Wesneski. Jose Barrero worked a rare walk and stole second base. TJ Friedl hit a slow ground ball to Wesneski. His flip to Alfonso Rivas was over the firstbaseman's head and allowed Barrero to hustle home. Jonathan India was hit by a pitch but Friedl was caught stealing third. Kyle Farmet hit a pop up beyond first base the Rivas couldn't reach. Farmer ended up at second as India scored.
Gteene allowed just two hits in six innings and escaped a jam in the sixth. Zach McKinstry singled with one out. Greene hit Estaban Quiroz with a pitch. Barrero gloved Seiya Suzuki's line drive and double McKinstry off second with a quick toss to India.
Derek Law replaced Greene to start the seventh. Greene's season ended with six scoreless innings, two hits, a walk, a hit batter and eight strikeouts.
His rookie season endes with a 5-13 record with a 4.44 ERA. He struck out 164 batters in 125 2/3 innings over 24 starts.
"It was good to get him out of there without allowing a run. To make that much improvement in his first season is really exciting," David Bell said. "He's gotten better from the beginning of the major league season to the end. To make the adjustments he made on the fly is really impressive. It's exciting the improvements that he's made in his first season."
Law and Buck Farmer kept the Cubs off the scoreboard through eight.
Stuart Fairchild and India doubled to open the ninth to bring home one run. Kyle Farmer and Donovan Solano walked against Manuel Rodriguez, who was lifted for Erich Uelmen. Spencer Steer hit into a double play.
Alexis Diaz entered to attempt his 10 save in 14 tries.
Diaz got it done in spite of walking the first two batters. Suzuki flied out to right sending McKinstry to third. He got Reds' killer Ian Happ to hit a ground ball that toIndia. It appeared to be a double play but second bas umpire Ryan Willis ruled Battero missed second as he threw out Happ at first base. Quiroz, hoaveve rounded second thinking he was out. Solano's throw to Barrero caught him and the game was over but the run counted.
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