Peraza’s pinch-hit double in 8th rallies Reds over Cubs 4-2

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CINCINNATI (AP) — Jose Peraza had a pinch-hit, bases-loaded double in the eighth inning on Thursday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs that avoided a series sweep.

The Reds loaded the bases with two outs against Pedro Strop (3-4), putting together two hits and a walk. Peraza, who was 0 for 4 off the bench this season, doubled over the head of Ian Happ in center for a 3-2 lead. Strop let in another run with a wild pitch.

The comeback ended the Cubs’ five-game winning streak, one shy of their season high. Chicago has moved into first place in the NL Central by going 25-13 since the All-Star break, leading Milwaukee by three games.

Michael Lorenzen (8-2) fanned three of the four batters he faced. Raisel Iglesias picked up his 24th save in 25 chances.

The Cubs were in position for another win after Happ — a star at the University of Cincinnati — hit a solo homer and Jake Arrieta gave another solid performance, allowing only one unearned run in 5 2/3 innings. Arrieta is 5-1 in eight starts since the All-Star break.

Kris Bryant was back at third base after missing one game. He was hit on the side of the left hand by a pitch on Tuesday night and got one day off. The National League’s MVP set up Cincinnati’s first run with a fielding error, and had a hand in the Cubs’ go-ahead run. Bryant doubled in the sixth and came around on Javier Baez’s single for a 2-1 lead.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: SS Addison Russell’s strained right foot is improving, manager Joe Maddon said, but “he still feels it a little bit when he moves in a certain direction.” He’s been on the DL since Aug. 3.

Reds: RHP Homer Bailey is expected to make his next scheduled start on Sunday against Pittsburgh. He left his start last Tuesday after three innings because of discomfort in the back of his shoulder, but hasn’t had any lingering problems.

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Jose Quintana opens a series in Philadelphia, making his eighth start with the Cubs. He’s 4-2 with a 3.73 ERA since moving to the Cubs from the White Sox. Jerad Eickhoff (3-7) starts for the Phillies.

Reds: Robert Stephenson (1-4) opens a series against the Pirates at Great American Ball Park, facing Ivan Nova (11-10). It’ll be Stephenson’s fifth start and 19th appearance. He’s 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA as a starter.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

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Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto hits an RBI single off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_118185723-7b64d0591d9c47958501343fa376b092.jpgCincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto hits an RBI single off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sal Romano during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_118185723-fa30d63e32204049bc6f703941ed4b37.jpgChicago Cubs’ Ian Happ celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sal Romano during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_118185723-abbbf907738d408693c8243a70732a6d.jpgChicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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