CHICAGO (AP) — Elly De La Cruz hit two-run triple in the 10th inning to break a scoreless tie and the Cincinnati Reds ended their season with a 3-0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. De La Cruz tagged Ethan Roberts (1-1) for the go-ahead hit down the right field line on an 0-2 count after Luke Maile singled and Jonathan India walked. Tyler Stephenson came up next and drove in De La Cruz with a single to center to help the Reds end a five-game skid.
Tony Santillan (3-3) got the win and Buck Farmer worked the bottom of the 10th for his first save. The Cubs, seeking a sweep of the Reds, managed just three hits as Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson got the day off. Caleb Kilian made his first start of the season for the Cubs and allowed three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings.
Hunter Greene worked the first four for Cincinnati and gave up a hit with three walks and three strikeouts. De La Cruz had a pair of stolen bases and finished the season with an MLB-best 67. He’s the first Cincinnati player to lead the majors in steals since Bobby Tolan swiped 57 in 1970.
Luis Vazquez logged his first career hit for Chicago, which matched last season’s 83-79 mark. Cincinnati finished the year 77-85, a five-win decline from last year. The Reds haven’t posted consecutive winning seasons in more than a decade.
The club also will be looking for a new manager during the offseason to replace David Bell, who was dismissed last week after six seasons. TRAINER’S RO.
