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Báez hits bases-loaded single in 9th as Cubs top Reds 6-5

CHICAGO (AP) - Pinch-hitter Javier Báez hit a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

Anthony Rizzo homered in his second straight game for the Cubs, who opened what could be the final homestand for some of their stars. Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and/or Báez could be on the move by Friday's trade deadline.

Joey Votto homered for the third time in three games and drove in three runs for Cincinnati, which dropped its second straight and lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Kyle Farmer added a homer as the Reds' winning streak against Chicago ended at four.

Patrick Wilson walked after a nine-pitch at-bat to start the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Ian Happ drew a pass an out later and Nico Hoerner loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch by Heath Hembree (2-5).

'œIncredibly fun to watch,'ť Hoerner said. 'œ(Báez) is a special player.'ť

Amir Garrett came on and allowed the game-winning hit.

'œThat was the last piece we had left and it lined up pretty nicely,'ť Cubs manager David Ross said after calling on Báez despite a minor injury. 'œReally nice job by the group to continue to fight back.'ť

Báez and Garrett appeared to be jawing at each other immediately after the final hit and Báez made several strides toward first before tossing his bat aside. He did not speak to reporters after the game, and Reds manager David Bell did not seem overly concerned.

'œJust two highly, highly competitive guys,'ť he said. 'œThere's a lot of emotions in this game. It's just two guys who want to do well so much.'ť

Kimbrel (2-3) struck out three straight to end the top of the inning after putting two men on.

'œIt's disappointing we lost a close game,'ť Votto said after the Reds ended the game 1 for 13 with men in scoring position. 'œIt felt like our game to win.'ť

The Reds led 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth before Willson Contreras hit a booming home run to center off reliever Josh Osich.

Rizzo drove the first pitch he saw from starter Wade Miley into the right-center bleachers to score Bryant in the first inning. Votto answered in the top of the second with a first-pitch shot to nearly the same spot. He tied the game an inning later with a sacrifice fly.

Farmer homered in the fourth and Votto gave the Reds their first lead an inning later when he drew a bases-loaded walk from starter Kyle Hendricks.

Hendricks, who'd gone at least six innings in 13 straight starts, lasted only 4 1/3 and surrendered the first five runs and nine hits while walking two and striking out four.

Miley lasted just as long, giving up seven hits, three earned runs and five walks.

LATE TRADE

The Cubs announced the trade of left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to Oakland shortly after the game. The Athletics sent a pair of minor leaguers -- OF Greg Deichmann and RHP Daniel Palencia -- to Chicago for Chafin (0-2, 2.06), who's been an effective setup man in 43 appearances.

UNKIND IVY

Chicago's Jake Marisnick led off the bottom of the second with a liner that rolled all the way to the left-field corner and kept motoring around third when Cincinnati's Jesse Winkler still hadn't come up with the ball. Home fans groaned, however, when Marisnick was forced to settle for a ground-rule double that got sufficiently lodged in the mid-summer bushes.

Miley retired the next three Cubs to strand him at second.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: OF Nick Castellanos (right wrist) could begin throwing and other baseball activities as early as Tuesday, manager David Bell said. The first-time All-Star was placed on the injured list Thursday after an x-ray showed a microfracture. '¦ INF Alex Blandino (right hand) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday night with Triple-A Louisville. '¦ The club recalled LHP Amir Garrett from the paternity list and optioned INF Alejo López to Louisville before the game.

Cubs: Báez started the night on the bench after waking up with a sore left heel. He appeared to suffer some sort of injury after trying to beat out a ground ball late in Sunday's win over Arizona.

UP NEXT

Cincinnati sends Vladimir Gutiérrez (4-3, 4.97) against fellow righthander Adbert Alzolay (4-10, 4.58) on Tuesday night.

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Chicago Cubs second baseman David Bote, center, tags out Cincinnati Reds' Jesse Winker, right, at second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single in the ninth inning to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 in a baseball game Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras celebrates at the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shogo Akiyama misses a fly ball hit by Chicago Cubs' Jake Marisnick during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Cincinnati Reds' Kyle Farmer rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Cincinnati Reds' Kyle Farmer (17) celebrates with manager David Bell, left, at the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant, front left, celebrates at the dugout after scoring on a David Bote single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras celebrates at third base after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press
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