Dateline: Cincinnati
Matthew Boyd ended a six-start losing streak, Dansby Swanson hit his first home run since coming off the injured list.
The Cubs inched closer to clinching a playoff berth with a 5-2 win over the Reds on Saturday.
The Cubs started the game in a tie with both the Phillies and Padres at 85-69. The Diamondbacks, the only other team in contention, are five games behind. Any combination of Cubs wins and Diamondbacks losses totaling two will ensure the Cubs playoff spot. The Cubs own the tie breaker with a 4-2 record head-to-head against Arizona, who play the Yankees later tonight.
The Cubs scored single runs in the second and fifth innings against Nick Lodolo (3-6).
Nico Hoerner led off the second with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Shaw. Dansby Swanson singled to open the fifth and scored with two outs on a Seiya Suzuki single. Dansby Swanson had two hits, including his 19th home run off Zach McCambley in the ninth.
Hoerner and Suzuki had two hits for the Cubs.
The Reds challenged the Cubs defense after Mathew Boyd (9-5) allowed no hits through four innings. Eugenio Suarez walked to open the fifth. JJ Bleday hammered the Reds first hit to right field with Suarez hustling to third. Dansby Swanson's relay throw got away from Alex Bregman and Suarez scored. Ke'Bryan Hayes hitting .144 tied the game with a single.
Michael Busch hit his 20th home run in the sixth.
Boyd turned the game over to Daniel Palencia in the sixth. Boyd pitched five allowing two runs, one earned on two hits and two walks. He struck out four.
The Reds put two on with two out against Aaron Civale. Ryan Zeferjahn relieved Civale. He struck out Sal Stewart. Zeferjahn got two outs in the ninth. Ryan Rolison entered to pitch to Bleday with two outs. The Reds sent Oswaldo Cabrera to pinch hit. He was picked up by the Reds on waivers from the Yankees on Friday. Rollison turned in his third save.
Lodolo pitched seven innings for the second straight game, he allowed three runs on six hits. He walked two and had one strikeout.
The Cubs were 6-1 against the Phillies this season and won the season series, 5-1 against the Padres.
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