SP Travis Wood gave the Chicago Cubs a stellar 7 innings on Saturday afternoon, but the Cubs (44-68) could not take advantage as RP James Russell (L, 5-1) allowed three late runs for a 4-2 Cubs loss.
The Cincinnati Reds (68-46) had SP Bronson Arroyo (W, 8-7) on the mound, and the Cubs lineup was able get two runners home in the second on a single from OF David DeJesus. The Reds got a run back in the 4th inning, but that's all Wood allowed. He stuck out 8, walked 1 and allowed only 1 ER in his 7 innings.
But then, in the top of the 8th, James Russell allowed three doubles and two singles for 3 crushing runs and a 4-2 Reds lead. The dynamic Cuban reliever, CL Aroldis Chapman (S, 27), then struck out two in his near-perfect ninth inning appearance.
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