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Cubs Manage Only Six Hits In Loss To Reds

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – Jay Bruce slammed a career-best three home runs and Chris Valaika also homered to back eight innings of one-run ball from Johnny Cueto as Cincinnati crushed Chicago, 7-1, to open a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Bruce tied a career-high with five runs batted in during his eighth career multi-homer game while Drew Stubbs added two hits, a run scored, two stolen bases and a walk for the Reds, who have won two straight and 10 of 13 games overall since being swept by the Cardinals in three games two weeks ago.

Cueto (12-4) allowed six hits, did not walk a batter and fanned eight in helping Cincinnati push its lead over St. Louis in the NL Central to 4 1/2 games. Sam LeCure retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Reds’ 11th win in 14 meetings with Chicago this season.

Tom Gorzelanny (7-8) was saddled with the loss after allowing a season-high six runs on seven hits and a pair of walks with only one strikeout in five innings for the Cubs, who had a three-game win streak halted.