Reds 5, Cubs 0
CHICAGO -- Right-hander Bronson Arroyo allowed just two base runners through seven shutout innings and Todd Frazier went 2-for-4 with a homer to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday afternoon.
The win completed a three-game Cincinnati series sweep and Chicago was shut out for the fourth time in its last five home games dating to Aug. 3.
Arroyo (11-9) allowed singles to David DeJesus and Darnell McDonald while walking none and striking out seven.
Reds right-handed reliever Alfredo Simon worked a perfect eighth and Jonathan Broxton allowed one base runner -- a hit batter -- in a scoreless ninth.
The victory was the Reds' fourth straight and sixth in their last seven games. The Cubs have lost four in a row.
Frazier gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a first-pitch home run to left off Cubs starter Chris Rusin. Frazier's 11th home run of the season cleared the left field fence and landed on Wavelend Avenue.
The Reds added a run in the fifth as catcher Ryan Hanigan doubled home Zack Cozart from first base with one out. Cozart collected an RBI double off Cubs reliever Carlos Villanueva in the seventh, scoring Jay Bruce from second for a 3-0 Reds lead.
The Reds added two in the eight with no outs. Frazier doubled home Chris Heisey and then scored on Joey Votto's two-base hit down the first base line.
Rusin (2-2) worked six innings and allowed two runs and three hits, struck out three and walked one.
NOTES: Cubs manager Dale Sveum rested SS Starlin Castro, 2B Darwin Barney and OF Junior Lake, playing three relative newcomers, including McDonald's first Cubs start. ... RHP Pedro Strop has held opponents scoreless in 18 of 19 appearances since he was acquired from Baltimore on July 25. Opposing batters are hitting just .125 against him. ... The Reds have five candidates up for vote through Aug. 31 by fans, media and alumni for the team's Hall of Fame: RHP Jeff Brantley (1994-97), LHP John Franco (1984-89), RHP Danny Graves (1997-2005), OF Ken Griffey Jr. (2000-08) and OF Reggie Sanders (1991-98). ... The Reds are at Milwaukee on Thursday, sending left-hander Tony Cingrani (5-2, 2.87 ERA) against the Brewers Kyle Lohse (8-7, 3.26 ERA). The Cubs have Thursday off before starting a three-game weekend home series with the Cardinals. Right-hander Jake Arrieta scheduled to start for Chicago on Friday. ... Since a three-game sweep by Milwaukee in September 2011, the Reds have won six of eight series with the Brewers, including three of the last four. ...
