CHICAGO _ The 20 mph wind Tuesday night at Wrigley Field resembled the chill of an early April game with little at stake.
But Alec Mills provided comfort to a Chicago Cubs team seeking stability as it tries to strengthen its position in the National League Central.
Mills kept the Cincinnati Reds off balance, pitching six shutout innings at various speeds, as the Cubs seized a 3-0 victory and extended their division lead to three games over the St. Louis Cardinals.
There was plenty to doubt entering Tuesday's series opener, even after Kyle Hendricks pitched eight innings of one-run ball Monday to snap a three-game losing streak.
Mills had allowed eight runs on 11 hits in eight innings in his last two starts. But he regained the command of his pitches Tuesday.
His slider was especially effective in striking out Aristides Aquino to end the fourth, and he threw three consecutive sliders to strike out Nicholas Castellanos with runners at first and second to end the fifth. Catcher Willson Contreras pumped his fist after the strikeout of Castellanos.
Castellanos, known more for his bat, played a role in right field as the Cubs scored three times in the second and third.
David Bote hit a line drive that caused Castellanos to turn twice as the ball sailed over his head for a two-run triple with two out in the second.
One inning later, Reds starter Tyler Mahle drilled Kris Bryant on the left elbow with a pitch.
Javier Baez made the Reds pay when he hit a line drive down the right-field line that skipped past Castellanos and rolled around the corner for a triple.
The Cubs will try to extend their winning streak to three Wednesday night when Yu Darvish, who has won seven consecutive starts, opposes Trevor Bauer.
