April 23--Cubs 2, Reds 0 (fourth inning)
Any suspense over another no-hitter ended when Joey Votto hit a checked swing single with one out in the first inning Friday night, but the Cubs lead the Reds 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park.
At the plate:
Javier Baez is looking more polished as a hitter. Baez poked an outside breaking pitch from John Moscot into right field for a single to start the second. Anthony Rizzo hit the first pitch of the fourth for his third home run in as many games.
On the mound:
Aside from Votto's single, Jon Lester looks sharp has he has struck out three and allowed only one runner to reach second.
In the field:
Rizzo leaped high at first to catch a high throw from Addison Russell at shortstop for the final out of the third. Kris Bryant caught a line drive by Adam Duvall in left field for the final out of the second.
Key number:
62 -- plus run differential by Cubs this season
The quote:
"We try to stay one step ahead of the game." -- Chris Bosio
Up next:
vs. Reds at Great American Ball Park, 6:10 p.m., CSN
