Apr 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) hits a 3 run home run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — Addison Russell clubbed a three-run homer to left in the eighth inning to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
Russell’s first homer of the year came on the first pitch from Reds reliever Jumbo Diaz with one out and brought home second baseman Ben Zobrist and left fielder Jorge Soler.
Right hander Adam Warren (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth for the win while Hector Rondon struck out the side in the ninth for his second save as the Cubs (6-1) won their third straight.
Chicago’s comeback spoiled a one-hit effort by Reds left-handed starter Brandon Finnegan, who worked 6 2/3 innings and struck out five and walked five.
First baseman Joey Votto went 2-for-4 as the Reds (5-2) suffered their first road loss.
Finnegan held the Cubs hitless until catcher David Ross singled to center and then walked pinch hitter Matt Szczur with two out in the seventh.
Right-handed reliever Caleb Cotham walked Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler to load the bases and departed for left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani.
Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward then sliced 0-2 pitch to right center, scoring Ross and Szczur to break the shutout.
Cingrani put two more runners on in the eighth and left for Diaz with one out. Cingrani (0-1) took the loss.
Cubs left-handed starter Jon Lester had no decision. He gave up three earned runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five in a six-inning outing.
Cincinnati scored solo runs in the first, third and fourth innings for an early 3-0 lead.
With runners on second and third with one out in the first, second baseman Brandon Phillips drove in the first run with his grounder to short to bring leadoff batter Zack Cozart home from third.
Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton made it 2-0 to lead off the third, depositing Lester’s 1-2 pitch into the left-field basket for his first homer of the year.
The Cubs threatened in the third with runners at second and third with two out after catcher David Ross and Lester walked. But Chicago came up empty when right fielder Jason Heyward worked to a full count before grounding to short to end the inning.
Finnegan’s two-out single to left drove in Phillips from third for a 3-0 fourth-inning edge.
The Cubs had four base runners through the first five innings — all on walks.
NOTES: The Reds hit the road for the first time after opening 2016 with a 5-1 record at home. … RHP Anthony DeSclafani remains on the 15-day disabled list (mild left oblique strain) but has bullpen work scheduled for this week at Wrigley Field. … 3B Eugenio Suarez entered Monday with four homers in Cincinnati’s first six game, the first since Adam Dunn had four in six games in 2004. … 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips started their 977th game together on Monday, the most by any right side tandem in Reds history and most of any set of active infielders. … The Cubs returned to Wrigley Field for the first time since last October’s NLCS sweep by the Mets to a park unchanged on the field but with extensive infrastructure changes including a new clubhouse reported to be the second largest in the major leagues. … Monday’s 101st home opener was the first against the Reds since 1999. … After a Tuesday off-day, the Cubs send RHP John Lackey (1-0, 9.00 ERA) against Reds RHP Alfredo Simon (0-0, 1.80 ERA) in Wednesday’s series middle game. … The Cubs’ 5-1 record entering Monday was their best start since 1999.
