Despite carousel, Maddon would prefer to have everyday closer

Sure, Cubs manager Joe Maddon had Jason Motte warming up in the bullpen as Hector Rondon started the ninth inning Thursday night against Cincinnati.

Motte was never needed, as Rondon nailed down his 11th save in 14 chances.

Sure, Maddon afforded Motte a save opportunity last Sunday at Washington, and Motte converted.

Sure, the Cubs signed veteran reliever Rafael Soriano to a minor league contract this week. And, yes, there's that Jonathan Papelbon rumor.

Given his druthers, though, Maddon would prefer to have that everyday closer in his bullpen.

After all, what manager wouldn't want a Mariano Rivera?

Never mind that in 2008, as Tampa Bay's manager, Maddon had six pitchers record at least 2 saves.

"Listen, I like having one guy, absolutely, because when you do, you're managing eight innings with your bullpen," Maddon said before Friday's game against the Reds. "When you don't have the one guy necessarily, then you're managing nine."

The Cubs have four pitchers with a save: Rondon, Pedro Strop (2), Motte (1) and Travis Wood (1).

Wada woes:

In his fifth start of the season Thursday night, Tsuyoshi Wada lasted just 3 innings, allowing 3 runs (all earned). It was the second straight start that Wada failed to pitch even four innings. The lefty struck out nine in his season debut on May 20.

Joe Maddon wants to see Wada be more assertive with his fastball.

"That's it. Period. Exclamation point," Maddon said. "You saw it (Thursday night). He was able to throw it by some guys. He struck out (Ivan) DeJesus (Jr.) and (DeJesus) looked like, 'What was that?' He punched out (Todd) Frazier looking and it was like, 'What was that?' I just think he needs to trust his fastball and pitch off his fastball more."

Still working on it:

Friday's game started with the Reds' Skip Schumaker hitting a routine ground ball to second baseman Addison Russell, who had the ball go off his glove for his eighth error in 44 games.

Funny, Joe Maddon was just talking before the game about those kind of plays.

"We've made some errors and our defense has been criticized," Maddon said. "Most of that's been routine stuff that really can be fixed.

"The third baseman (Kris Bryant) and second baseman (Russell) are really learning to play here. People don't understand how difficult that is. 'KB' is pretty much a novice over there. Addison's a total novice at second. And you see the better play, nightly, out of both of these guys. That's encouraging."

Russell's error led to 3 runs (2 unearned) against Jason Hammel.

"That was a tough hop for 'Addie,' " Hammel said.

The Reds scored the winning run in the 10th after Bryant threw wildly to first on Todd Frazier's ground ball leading off the inning.

An 8-3 putout?

Dexter Fowler, playing shallow in center field, tried to throw out Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto at first base on Cueto's line-drive single leading off the fourth inning Friday.

Cueto easily beat the throw, which was offline, causing first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Cueto to collide. Neither player was hurt.