CHICAGO (AP) — Willson Contreras homered, Christopher Morel also went deep and nailed a runner at the plate with a terrific throw from center field, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-3. Contreras got hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Ian Happ against Hunter Greene in the first inning. He made it 5-0 in the fifth when he lined a two-run drive against Luis Cessa for his 13th homer — tops among major league catchers — and also doubled twice. Morel helped Justin Steele escape a bases-loaded jam in the fourth when he caught Donovan Solano’s line drive and fired a one-hop laser to the plate. Morel added a two-run homer in the sixth. Cincinnati has lost nine of 12.
Cubs clobber Reds 8-3
Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)