Anthony DeSclafani helped the Reds to another win. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
CHICAGO — Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani struck out five and allowed just two hits while the Cincinnati Reds held off a late Chicago Cubs rally to claim a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.
The victory evened the three-game series at a game apiece heading into Wednesday’s finale at Wrigley Field.
DeSclafani (1-0) threw 97 pitches through seven scoreless innings and didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning. He permitted just four base runners on a pair of singles and two walks.
Reds reliever Kevin Gregg entered in the eighth inning and gave up a two-run pinch-hit home run to Welington Castillo. The homer, which also scored pinch hitter Matt Szczur, came on a first pitch and was Castillo’s career first as a pinch hitter.
Left-hander Tony Cingrani came in with two out and allowed two base runners before striking out left fielder Chris Coghlan.
Reds left-hander Aroldis Chapman had two runners on with one out in the ninth but struck out pinch hitters David Ross and Mike Olt to end the game and earn his third save of the season.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI while Marlon Byrd and Jay Bruce had an RBI apiece.
Cubs right-handed starter Jake Arrieta gave up all three runs in the fourth inning but eventually had a 6 2/3-inning outing as he gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out five.
He was replaced by left-hander Zac Rosscup, called up from Triple-A Iowa earlier Tuesday. He worked 1 1/3 hitless innings while walking one and striking out two.
Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton had the game’s first hit with a leadoff single in the fourth inning. He promptly stole second for his major-league-leading eighth theft of the season and scored on Votto’s base hit to right.
After third baseman Todd Frazier’s grounder forced out Votto, second baseman Brandon Phillips followed with a base hit. Phillips reached third on Bruce’s RBI single. On the play, Phillips was banged up on an attempted tag at third by Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. Phillips dived for the bag and Castro fell on top of him.
After trainers examined him, Phillips temporarily stayed in the game, and he scored when Byrd bounced a two-out single down the third base line to make it 3-0.
Right fielder Jorge Soler lined a base hit to left to become the Cubs’ first baserunner with two out in the fourth.
NOTES: Reds C Devin Mesoraco continued rehab on his left hip in Cincinnati on Tuesday, but manager Bryan Price hopes Mesoraco will be back with the club soon. … RHP Homer Bailey is expected to rejoin the Reds’ rotation with a scheduled start Saturday in St. Louis. He is recovering from right forearm surgery performed last fall. … RHP Jason Marquis makes his second appearance of the season and 14th career start against the Cubs in Wednesday’s series finale. His last appearance against Chicago was in August 2010. … The Cubs called up LHP Zac Rosscup from Triple-A Iowa prior to the game. In turn, they placed INF Tommy La Stella on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 9 with right rib cage inflammation. … Cubs LHP Travis Wood (0-1, 5.79 ERA) makes his second start of the season Wednesday as he faces his former club. Wood was 11-10 with a 4.18 ERA with the Reds between 2010-11.
