CINCINNATI _ Kris Bryant's left elbow felt well enough Wednesday for the All-Star third baseman to hit a two-run double and make a diving catch that started a triple play.
But those moments held little significance on a night when Sonny Gray outpitched Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs' bullpen woes deepened on the way to a 12-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Bryant's double capped a five-run rally but only delayed the anguish of another miserable night by a bullpen that has allowed 20 earned runs on 20 walks and 18 hits (including seven home runs) in 18? innings.
The struggles thwarted any chance of a comeback after Gray was pulled after limiting the Cubs to one hit _ a double by Ian Happ _ in six innings while striking out 10.
Cubs manager David Ross and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy have stressed patience with the relievers, but finding a few who can at least throw strikes consistently has proved difficult.
Hendricks, who pitched a shutout in Friday's season opener, was tagged for a two-run home run by Mike Moustakas and pulled in the fifth. Rex Brothers entered and served up a grand slam to Nick Castellanos and a solo homer to Nick Senzel in the Reds' seven-run fifth.
In the seventh, Dillon Maples walked four, allowed a hit and was pulled without retiring a batter.
The Cubs eluded further damage when Bryant dived to his right to catch a line drive by Shogo Akiyama, stepped on third and threw to first to complete the first triple play by the Cubs since May 10, 1997, against the Giants. That one involved Brian McRae, Jose Hernandez and Ryne Sandberg.
Before the game, Ross said Bryant initially hurt his elbow on a swing during the Brewers series last weekend.
"It's something we'll have to manage a little bit," Ross said. "Just make sure he's good on a daily basis."
Bryant's double snapped an 0-for-20 start.
"KB is going to be just fine," Ross said. "When he's in a good place, he's seeing a lot of pitches at the top of the order. That sets the tone."
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