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June 9 – Ian Happ continued to torment the Cincinnati Reds with a three-run double and a clutch defensive play late in the game to help the visiting Chicago Cubs salvage the finale of a four-game series with a 4-2 win on Sunday.
Chicago lefty ace Shota Imanaga (6-1) won for the first time since May 1 after four no-decisions and a loss. Imanaga allowed two runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking one.
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The game was delayed for five minutes in the bottom of the ninth for maintenance to the pitching mound before Cubs closer Hector Neris took his warmup pitches. Neris pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.
Cincinnati starter Frankie Montas (3-5) was charged with four runs on five hits while retiring just four batters as the Reds had their season-best seven-game winning streak snapped.
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Montas walked three and struck out two in posting his second-shortest outing of the season.
The Cubs got off to a quick start against Montas in the first inning.
Mike Tauchman opened with a walk before Seiya Suzuki doubled him to third. After a one-out walk to Christopher Morel, Happ doubled to right to clear the bases.
Happ, a University of Cincinnati product, has 30 homers and 83 RBIs in 109 career games against the Reds, including 47 RBIs in 53 career games in Cincinnati.
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The Cubs knocked Montas out of the game in the second after Miguel Amaya opened with a double to left and Tauchman singled to right to make it 4-0.
Imanaga was in control through the first six innings, allowing only two hits, including a solo homer from Luke Maile leading off the third inning that cut Chicago’s lead to 4-1.