Cubs head into break hot after taking series from Reds

Alex Bregman had three hits, including a three-run homer in the seventh inning, to help the visiting Chicago Cubs to an 8-4 win against the Cincinnati Reds in the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Busch had two hits, an RBI and a run, and Kevin Alcantara drove in two runs for the Cubs, who have won five of seven heading into the All-Star break.

Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (5-1) won his third straight start after allowing four hits and six runs in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Boyd was coming off six shutout innings in a 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles last Tuesday.

Eugenio Suarez homered for Cincinnati, which has dropped three of four.

Reds starter Andrew Abbott went four innings, allowing four runs and four hits. The left-hander struck out three and walked three on 79 pitches. Chase Petty (1-2) went two-plus innings and put the go-ahead run on base when Dansby Swanson doubled to open the seventh.

Pete Crow-Armstrong drew a seven-pitch walk to start the game. He stole second and then scored on a one-out double to center by Bregman.

After Abbott got the second out, Busch knocked in Bregman with a double to right to make it 2-0.

Ke'Bryan Hayes led off the third for the Reds with a single. He moved to third on a one-out double by Sal Stewart. Spencer Steer drove in a run with a groundout to cut it to 2-1.

JJ Bleday then tied it 2-2 with an RBI single to left, bringing up Suarez, who pulled a full-count fastball over the fence in left for a two-run homer and a 4-2 lead.

The Cubs came back and loaded the bases with one out in their half of the fourth on two walks sandwiched around a double by Busch. Abbott struck out Swanson, but Alcantara came through with a two-run single to tie it 4-4.

Crow-Armstrong broke the tie with an RBI single in the seventh off Sam Moll that moved the Cubs back in front 5-4.

After an infield single to Seiya Suzuki, Bregman stepped up and launched a three-run homer off Pierce Johnson to left-center to make it 8-4.

--Field Level Media