Cubs finally play to 'full' house, win 6-3 over Reds

The Cubs returned home Thursday night to a Wrigley Field that is coming together little by little.

Much like the team on that field.

The newly renovated right-field bleachers opened for the game, giving the ballpark a more complete feel, and the Cubs made it a nice night for the fans who braved some rain in a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Just over two months ago, on Opening Night, none of the outfield seats were ready. The left-field bleachers opened May 11.

"It hasn't been that weird," said first baseman Anthony Rizzo. "It's nice to have people there, but once the game starts, you're focused on what you want to do. It's good. I think it looks great."

Manager Joe Maddon liked it.

"Beautiful, man, it's really beautiful," he said. "For me to be here new, it's a really wonderful place to play major-league baseball."

The Cubs (32-26) got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Miguel Montero hit a 3-run homer to deep right-center. The home run came after Rizzo doubled and Kris Bryant walked.

Dexter Fowler officially christened the newest bleacher section with a solo homer in the third.

The Cubs came back from a three-city road trip during which they went 5-4. On more than one occasion, they bounced back from adversity, something they've seemed able to do all season.

"You lose hard for 30 minutes, and you win hard for 30 minutes," Maddon said. "And you move on. I never want our guys to carry, especially bad, into the clubhouse the next day. You can carry good, and that's fine. But just don't be bringing bad vibes into the clubhouse because we had a bad day the day before.

"I think that's where a lot of groups go wrong, if you want to carry something negative or defeat from the day before to the next day. Leave it in the past, man. It serves no really good purpose."

The Cubs needed a better outing from starting pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, but Wada was able to last only 3 innings, as he gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. Wada has made 5 starts since coming off the disabled list May 20, and not one has been a quality start.

He was replaced by Travis Wood (3-2), who worked 2⅓ scoreless innings. It's possible the two could flip-flop roles if the Cubs decide they've seen enough of Wada, who pitched well for them in the second half of last season.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," Maddon said.

Said Wada: "I just can't find it right now."

For Maddon, there is one key for Wada having success.

"When he's aggressive or assertive, he normally pitches pretty well," the manager said. "If he starts trying to overthink it or tries to become too creative with his game plan, I think that's where it goes awry. He's very simple, and I used that word a lot and I like it. I just think assertive-aggressive with his fastball. Locate it."