CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs lost 3-2 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday snapping a 3-game win streak and dropping their record to 4-3.
How it Happened: The Reds managed five singles in the fourth inning, plating all their runs in the frame after Cubs starter Jake Arrieta retired the first nine batters of the game. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd drove in the runs. Meanwhile, Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani was out-pitching Arrieta as he gave up just two hits in seven innings. But former Cub Kevin Gregg gave up a 2-run, pinch-hit home run to Welington Castillo to draw the Cubs within one in the bottom of the eighth. But the rally ended with two on in that inning when Chris Coghlan struck out off of lefty Tony Cingrani.
What it Means: It's hard to get down on Arrieta as only a couple of balls in that fourth inning were hit hard, the others just found some holes. The Cubs offense came back down to earth after several big days in a row at the plate, but Castillo gave them another chance at a late win. The added talent on this team -- some of it which has forced Castillo into a back-up role -- is paying off. The Cubs continue to show fight even when trailing; something they were unable to do last season because they simply didn't have the hitters.
Castillo: For the third consecutive day Castillo came off the bench and provided a more than adequate at-bat. And all three appearances were in high leverage situations. He hit his first pinch-hit home run of his career on Tuesday and has proven accepting of his new role as a back-up.
What's Next: The rubber game of the series takes place on Wednesday night when Travis Wood (0-1, 5.79) opposes Jason Marquis (0-0, 4.50)
