CINCINNATI — Pinch-hitter Taylor Teagarden’s RBI single off Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman drove home the go-ahead run, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 6-5 victory in the second game of a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park.
Chicago gained a split after first baseman Joey Votto homered and Mike Leake allowed one run and four hits in eight innings in the Reds’ 9-1 victory in the afternoon game.
Jason Motte posted his sixth save in as many opportunities for the Cubs in the nightcap.
Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd prevented the Cubs from scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning when he threw out center fielder Dexter Fowler attempting to score on first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s single.
The play was reviewed to determine whether Reds catcher Brayan Pena violated the home plate collision rule, but replay confirmed he did not.
But after an intentional walk to right fielder Jorge Soler, Teagarden, who had two hits in 13 at-bats, singled sharply to center off Chapman to drive home Rizzo, putting Chicago ahead 6-5. Chapman (3-4) took the loss for Cincinnati (42-51)
Cincinnati missed its chance in the bottom of the eighth when it had the bases loaded with one out against Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon.
Third baseman Todd Frazier hit a rocket that caromed off Rondon to Rizzo, who threw home from first base to force the lead runner. Right fielder Jay Bruce flied to left for the third out.
Rondon (4-2) picked up the victory for Chicago (51-43), which salvaged a split in the four-game series.
Cincinnati sent 10 batters to the plate in the second inning and Chicago did likewise in the third.
The first seven Reds batters reached base against right-hander Dallas Beeler in the second and five scored.
A fielding error by Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro on Cingrani’s grounder helped extend the inning, which featured four hits that included center fielder Billy Hamilton’s RBI double.
Castro atoned for his error in the third when he ripped an RBI double to center, making the score 5-1. Left fielder Chris Denorfia delivered a two-run double, trimming the Reds’ lead to two.
When the Reds intentionally walked catcher David Ross to get to Beeler’s spot, Chicago countered with pinch-hitter Kris Bryant, who came through with a two-run single that tied the score 5-5.
Neither starting pitcher made it through the third inning.
Cingrani, making his first start since June 9 because of a strained shoulder, allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. Beeler gave up five runs (three earned) and six hits in two innings.
Frazier’s bid for an extra-base hit and go-ahead RBI was denied by Fowler’s running catch against the center-field fence in the fourth.
NOTES: The nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader made up a rainout from April 25. … Cubs RHP Clayton Richard was designated for assignment on Wednesday and RHPs Yoervis Medina and Dallas Beeler were recalled from Triple-A Iowa. … The Reds reinstated LHP Tony Cingrani from the 15-day disabled list and added him as the allowed 26th player to start the nightcap. … The Cubs have 50 victories in 93 games. Last year, they didn’t reach 50 wins until game No. 116. … Reds RF Jay Bruce did not play in the first game of the DH on Wednesday, snapping a streak of 20 straight starts.