Rizzo's 2 Homers, 4 Runs Lead Cubs To 9-0 Rout Of Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony Rizzo drove in four runs with his 10th career two-homer game, Jason Hammel pitched six scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Cincinnati Reds, 9-0, on Sunday to improve to 14-5 for the first time in 47 years.

Tommy La Stella hit two doubles and his first homer of the season and Jason Heyward had four hits and 3 RBIs as the Cubs rebounded from their worst loss of the season, 13-5, on Saturday.

Despite that loss, Chicago outscored Cincinnati 38-14 in the four-game series, which started Thursday with Jake Arrieta's 16-0 no-hitter.

The Cubs have won six of their seven games against the Reds this season and nine of their last 10 over the last two seasons. Chicago's record over 19 games is its best since the 1969 team started 14-5. The 1907 Cubs started 16-3.

Hammel (3-0) allowed three hits with two walks and a season-high seven strikeouts and sparked Chicago's two-run second inning with a two-out single to right. He, Arrieta and John Lackey all are 3-0, giving the Cubs three 3-0 pitchers before May 1 for the first time in franchise history.

Rizzo, who went into the game two homers short of tying the National League lead, hit two-run shots in each of his first two at-bats, helping the Cubs lead 8-0 after three innings.

Alfredo Simon, making his first start since lasting a career-low 2/3 of an inning against the Cubs at Chicago on April 13, pitch 2 2/3 innings on Sunday. Simon (0-2), who missed his start on Tuesday with right biceps tendinitis, allowed nine hits and eight runs with one walk and three strikeouts, but he actually lowered his ERA against Chicago from 67.16 to 35.14.

The Reds have lost in all four of Simon's appearances this season, including three starts.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cubs: With Chicago having Monday off, manager Joe Maddon considered Sunday a good day to give CF Dexter Fowler his second non-start of the season. Fowler was riding a six-game hitting streak and leading the NL with 17 runs scored.

Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani, who hasn't pitched after suffering a strained left oblique in spring training, three 61 pitches over four innings for Double-A Pensacola on Saturday and felt great, manager Bryan Price said. DeSclafani is scheduled to pitch on Thursday for Single-A Dayton.

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks, loser of his last two starts, starts the opener of Chicago's three-game home series against Milwaukee. Hendricks is 4-1 in six career starts against the Brewers, and his 1.45 ERA is his best against any team he has faced at least four times.

Reds: RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-1) makes his first career appearance against the Mets as Cincinnati opens a six-game road trip with the first of three in New York. The Reds are 3-1 in Iglesias's four starts this season.

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