CHICAGO _ After eight relievers weren't enough Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to the Reds in 10 innings, the Cubs will have little time to recuperate as they open a crucial four-game series Thursday against the National League Central-leading Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
After retiring the first two batters in the 10th, James Norwood allowed a single and a walk that set up a double by Jose Iglesias to snap a 2-2 tie and hand the Cubs (82-68) their second consecutive loss.
The Cubs fell three games behind the Cardinals with 10 games remaining and stayed tied with the Brewers for the second NL wild-card berth.
Victor Caratini doubled with one out in the bottom of the 10th, but Raisel Iglesias struck out Jason Heyward and Nico Hoerner lined to right.
With the Reds leading 2-1 in the seventh and the crowd of 36,578 virtually silent, Willson Contreras brought them to life by battling from an 0-2 count to drive the ball over the left-field fence for a tying home run.
