Mills, Cubs shut out Reds

[September 09, 2020]  Alec Mills threw six strong innings, and the Chicago Cubs tripled home all of their runs during a 3-0 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

With the wind briskly blowing in, offense was at a premium in the opener of a three-game set. The teams combined for nine hits, but the NL Central-leading Cubs (25-18) made two of their four count.

Chicago jumped on top in the second inning. Kyle Schwarber drew a one-out walk, and Willson Contreras hit an infield single. David Bote then lined the ball over the head of right fielder Nick Castellanos, a former Cub, and it turned into a two-run triple.

Javier Baez made it 3-0 for the home side with another RBI triple, also to right field, in the third.

Bote is batting .409 (9-for-22) with nine RBIs in eight games versus Cincinnati this season.

Mills (4-3) took advantage of the elements. He gave up four hits while striking out six and overcoming three walks to rebound following two consecutive sub-par outings.

Three Chicago relievers held the Reds in check. Jeremy Jeffress pitched the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season and help the Cubs to a second consecutive win.

The Reds' Tyler Mahle (1-2) took the hard-luck loss. Aside from the two triples, the right-hander allowed only two other hits while striking out 10 and walking one in seven innings.

Shogo Akiyama had two hits for the Reds (18-24), who have lost two in a row. It was the sixth time this season that Cincinnati was shut out.

Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills (30) delivers against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward missed a second straight game due to some reported fatigue that does not appear to be COVID-19-related.

Chicago announced earlier Monday that former Billy Hamilton was added to the team's active roster a day after he was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets. Hamilton formerly played for the Reds. Meanwhile, recently acquired outfielder/designated hitter Jose Martinez was optioned to the club's alternate training site. Martinez was 0-for-14 in six games since he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays.

--Field Level Media

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