CINCINNATI (AP) — Even after a win, the Reds still come away wondering: What’s going to happen next?
Todd Frazier extended his post-derby surge with three more hits on Wednesday, and Mike Leake was solid in what might have been his final start in Cincinnati, leading the Reds to a 9-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the opening game of a day-night doubleheader.
Leake (8-5) allowed four hits in eight innings, including Kyle Schwarber’s RBI single. During the game, he thought about how it could be his final start for the Reds with the non-waiver trade deadline approaching.
“Yeah, I was,” Leake said. “Each one from here on could be. It’s very ironic that the first one and the last one could be against the same team.”
Leake made his debut against the Pirates in 2010 and has dominated them lately. The right-hander retired the last 16 batters he faced on Wednesday, extending his streak of success against Chicago.
He hasn’t lost to the Cubs since April 21, 2012, going 5-0 in his last nine starts against them with a 2.68 ERA.
Frazier won the All-Star Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park, then went into an 0-for-10 slump. After getting a day off last Sunday, the third baseman is 6 for 12 with a homer and six RBIs.
Joey Votto added a solo homer off Kyle Hendricks (4-5), who gave up four runs while facing nine batters in the first inning. Billy Hamilton singled with the bases loaded in the seventh off Yoervis Medina as the Reds pulled away.
Schwarber, who grew up in nearby Middletown, hit a tying two-run homer in the ninth on Tuesday night and a solo homer in the 13th inning for a 5-4 win. He became the first Cubs rookie to hit two homers in the ninth inning or later.
