April 22--Cubs 5, Reds 0 (fourth inning)
Despite threatening skies, the Cubs have surged to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning behind home runs by Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist and the pitching of Jake Arrieta. Bryant ripped a two-run home run in the first that traveled an estimated 420 feet and landed in the upper deck in left field.
At the plate:
Dexter Fowler continues his torrid production at the top of the order. Fowler, who entered the game with a .523 on-base percentage, hit the first pitch of the game off left-hander Brandon Finnegan for a double off the center field wall.
On the mound:
Arrieta, aiming to become the first Cubs' starter to win his first four starts since Greg Maddux in 2006, has allowed only a walk to Jay Bruce with one out in the second.
In the field:
Bryant briefly gave ground at third before fielding and firing to first to retire Brandon Phillips to start the second, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo stretched far to handle Bryant's two-hop throw to retire Zack Cozart to end the third.
Key number:
3 -- hits by Arrieta this season
The quote:
"If you're a starting pitcher and you're a National League and choose not to work on it, why wouldn't you?" -- Joe Maddon
Up next:
vs. Reds at Great American Ball Park, 6:10 p.m., WGN-9
