Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Bronson Arroyo worked six innings and Cincinnati used a nine-run seventh to help take a dominant 12-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in the second of a four-game set.
Arroyo (8-4) gave up just two hits with two walks and three strikeouts and also added an RBI and a run scored for the Reds, who have won three straight and nine of their last 11. Logan Ondrusek threw two perfect innings while Micah Owings worked the ninth to complete the shutout.
Joey Votto hit a two-run home run, Brandon Phillips added a solo homer and two RBI and Scott Rolen, Jonny Gomes and Ramon Hernandez each drove in two in the win.
Ryan Dempster (6-7) was tagged with the loss as he gave up five runs — two earned — on two hits with five walks and nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings for the Cubs, who have dropped their last three games and six of eight.
After the Cubs stranded runners on first and third in the second, Cincinnati took the lead in the third when Phillips led off the frame with his 10th homer of the season.
Arroyo retired Chicago in order over the next three innings while Dempster set down 12 straight batters after the Phillips home run.
Mike Fontenot punched a two-out single to left in the sixth and Derrek Lee followed with a walk. Aramis Ramirez, though, hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
The Reds then exploded in the seventh to take a commanding 10-run lead. Back- to-back walks from Gomes and Jay Bruce was followed by a Fontenot error that loaded the bases. After Drew Stubbs struck out, Arroyo helped his cause by working a walk to force home Gomes.
Brian Schlitter then took over for Dempster and promptly walked Phillips to force home another run. Orlando Cabrera popped out but a passed ball scored another run and Votto was intentionally walked to re-load the bases. Rolen stroked a single to center to bring home two more and Gomes hit a two-run double to deep center.
The Reds weren’t done, though, and after Bruce walked, Bob Howry took the mound and Hernandez roped a double off the wall in left to bring home another two runs for the 10-0 margin.
Votto popped a two-run homer in the eighth to account for the final score.
Cincinnati has taken six of eight against Chicago this season…Chicago shortstop Starlin Castro went 0-for-3 to snap a six-game hitting streak…Votto has reached base safely in 40 straight games…Johnny Cueto takes the hill for the Reds on Saturday and will be opposed by Randy Wells.