Reds prevail again over sagging Cubs 5-1

Zack Littell struck out eight in seven crisp innings in his Cincinnati debut, and the Reds beat the slumping Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Littell (9-8) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since he was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay last week.

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings. He was charged with one run and three hits.

Spencer Steer hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in Cincinnati’s four-run seventh. The Reds (60-54) won for the third time in four games.

Matt Shaw homered for the Cubs (65-48), who finished with four hits. They had just three hits in Monday night’s 3-2 loss in the series opener.

The Reds went 3 for 5 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs went 0 for 6 in those situations.

The Cubs have dropped three of four. They trail the NL Central-leading Brewers by four games.

Reds All-Star LHP Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.15 ERA) faces Cubs rookie RHP Cade Horton (5-2, 3.42 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday.


(AP Photo Nam Y. Huh)