CHICAGO (AP) — Aristides Aquino hit two more home runs against the Cubs and helped the Cincinnati Reds beat Chicago 7-1 on Wednesday night.
Mike Minor (4-10), pitching at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2014 with Atlanta, allowed 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings but only one run.
The 34-year-old southpaw is 3-0 in his last four starts after losing a career-worst eight straight decisions.
The Cubs had three double plays and lost for the fourth time in five games.
Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the second on back-to-back singles by Nelson Velasquez, Yan Gomes and PJ Higgins. But Minor helped his cause by reaching behind his back to field Nick Madrigal’s groundout for a late-inning double play.
Aquino continued his surge of power against the Cubs, hitting a leadoff home run in the third off rookie starter Javier Assad (0-1) that went approximately 438 feet.
Aquino capped the Reds’ scoring with his seventh home run, a leadoff drive in the ninth off rookie Jeremiah Estrada. Aquino has two multi-homer games this season and three in his career.
Aquino has hit 12 home runs in 84 career at-bats against the Cubs.
Jake Fraley’s solo homer off Assad in the fourth put the Reds up 2-1.
Aquino hit an RBI single during a four-run sixth inning. Assad was removed after allowing back-to-back singles to Jonathan India and Kyle Farmer with one out.
Spencer Steer had an infield hit off reliever Erich Uelman, and a throwing error by third baseman Christopher Morel allowed him to score another run. Donovan Solano and Aquino capped the rally with back-to-back RBI singles off Uelman and Michael Rucker.
Assad, in his third start and fourth major league appearance, had allowed one run in 10 innings before Wednesday.
DRIVE AROUND THE FIELD
Steer made his first major league start at second base, and Reds manager David Bell intends to move his newly promoted rookie to various positions.
“I think he’s more used to that than playing one position,” Bell said. “I’d like to play it in the outfield. I’m not going to force that.”
Steer, 24, who was acquired Aug. 2 as part of the trade that sent RHP Tyler Mahle to the Twins, has made two starts at first base and one at third since being promoted to the majors Aug. 1. September. Steer primarily played third base. in the Twins organization, but he played five positions, including shortstop and right field, at Triple-A Louisville before his promotion to the Reds.
COACHES ROOM
Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (right shoulder strain) will make one more minor league rehab start for Triple-A Louisville. Greene threw 48 pitches over two innings Tuesday against Columbus, and Bell stressed the importance of Greene getting his stamina back before he returns. Greene could return in a Sept. 17 doubleheader against the Cardinals if he stays healthy, Bell said. … OF Nick Senzel (sprained right ankle) underwent X-rays that showed no new damage and is listed as day-to-day. … RHP Connor Overton (lower back stress reaction) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week in Louisville and would rejoin the Reds in relief if he returns this season, Bell said. Overton hasn’t pitched since May 17.
Cubs: C Willson Contreras (sprained left ankle) underwent X-rays to determine the severity of his injury. … INF Patrick Wisdom (sprained left ring finger) took batting practice. Wisdom hasn’t played since Aug. 25 when he injured his hand on a slide at home plate.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Reds: RHP Luis Cessa (3-2, 5.18 ERA) starts Thursday. He allowed two runs in five innings in a 3-2 loss to the Rockies on September 2.
Cubs: RHP Adrian Sampson (1-5, 3.95) starts Thursday. He allowed two runs in five innings in an 8-0 loss to the Cardinals on September 2.
