CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs opened a six-game homestand with a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night.
How it happened: A day after busting out for a season-high 12 runs in Detroit, the Cubs returned to Wrigley Field and kept producing. They didn’t record a ton of hits (eight for the game), but hit two home runs and had five extra-base hits. Miguel Montero got things started with a three-run blast in the first inning -- the first homer into the just-opened right-field bleachers -- and Dexter Fowler added a solo shot in the third inning. Kris Bryant added an RBI double in the fifth inning.
The offense made up for another shaky outing by Tsuyoshi Wada, who was yanked just one batter into the fourth inning. Wada allowed three runs and four hits and was replaced by Travis Wood (3-2) after giving up a homer to Chris Dominguez to lead off the fourth. Hector Rondon, who went from closer to being part of a closer-by-committee group, pitched the ninth inning for his 11th save.
What it means: Considering manager Joe Maddon had Wood warming up in the bottom of the third inning with the Cubs leading 4-2, it wouldn’t be surprising if Wada was yanked from the rotation immediately. In five starts this season, the left-hander has made it to the fifth inning just twice and has yet to make it through six innings. Wood, who allowed just one hit in a scoreless 2 1/3-inning stint to get the win, would seem to be the most logical candidate to fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Wood made seven starts this season before Wada was activated from the disabled list on May 20.
What’s next: The four-game series continues with a day game on Friday (3:05 CT start). Right-hander Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.76 ERA) goes for the Cubs against right-hander Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.64) of the Reds. Hammel, who will be making his 12th start of the season, has produced a quality start in seven of past eight outings, going 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA during that span.
