The Cincinnati Reds concluded April with 20 wins and are now set to compete against NL Central rivals.
Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan (26) tags out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) hits a double in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball before throwing out Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds finished April 2026 with 20 wins.
The Cincinnati Reds are facing contenders from the NL Central.
The Reds played against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson is mentioned in the article.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) prepares to pitch in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) speaks with Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) watches his baseball after hitting a 3-run triple in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (3) mishandles the throw from home plate as Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan (26) reaches third base on a 3-run triple in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) prepares to pitch in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) hits a base hit in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) fields a ground ball before throwing out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) at home plate in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) hits a base hit in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) leaps over Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) during a pick off attempt in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) gestures to the dugout after hitting an RBI double in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) high fives teammates after scoring on a Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) double in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) catches a foul ball for an out in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) throws out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey (47) pitches in the fourth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) throws to first for an out in the fourth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey (47) pitches in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) pitches in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) throws out a runner at first in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Franco (74) pitches in the sixth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Franco (74) pitches in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) hits a double in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball at the wall in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson (30) rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run home run in the ninth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) stands in the dugout in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) throws to first for an out in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) pitches in the ninth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan (26) tags out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan (26) tags out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) hits a double in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball before throwing out Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) prepares to pitch in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) speaks with Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) watches his baseball after hitting a 3-run triple in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (3) mishandles the throw from home plate as Colorado Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan (26) reaches third base on a 3-run triple in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) prepares to pitch in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) hits a base hit in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) fields a ground ball before throwing out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) at home plate in the first inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) hits a base hit in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) leaps over Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) during a pick off attempt in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) gestures to the dugout after hitting an RBI double in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) high fives teammates after scoring on a Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) double in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) catches a foul ball for an out in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (14) throws out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) in the third inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey (47) pitches in the fourth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) throws to first for an out in the fourth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey (47) pitches in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures to the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) pitches in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) throws out a runner at first in the fifth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Franco (74) pitches in the sixth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jose Franco (74) pitches in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) hits a double in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball at the wall in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson (30) rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run home run in the ninth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro (3) stands in the dugout in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) throws to first for an out in the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
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Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) pitches in the ninth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
April was good to the Cincinnati Reds, but the stiffest test of the young season is up next.
The Reds finished April leading the National League Central, and became the fourth MLB club to reach the 20-win threshold after going 17-9 in the month. Cincinnati won five consecutive series in April, too, and the fifth of those was clinched with an April 30 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati prevailed, 6-4, in one of starting pitcher Andrew Abbott's stronger outings of 2026 as he went six innings and recorded his first win of the season. The only runs he allowed came on a first-inning, two-run, two-out home run by Colorado's Tyler Freeman.
Nathaniel Lowe's fifth home run of the season halved the Reds' deficit, and TJ Friedl's two-run homer in the fifth inning put the team ahead. A Spencer Steer single in the sixth plated JJ Bleday. Late insurance arrived when a Dane Myers groundout drove in a run in the eighth, and Steer later doubled in the at-bat, allowing Tyler Stephenson to score.
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe (31) celebrates a solo home run in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Now, the Reds will take their formidable start to 2026 on the road and test it seven straight games against two of the more impressive teams from what's been an overall surprisingly strong NL Central. Cincinnati next faces the Pittsburgh Pirates (May 1-3) at PNC Park followed by four games against the Chicago Cubs (May 4-7) at Wrigley Field.
To date, the Reds have played just three games against the NL Central field. They came during the second series of the season against the Pirates, and Cincinnati dropped two of three at Great American Ball Park.
"(The Pirates) are the only divisional team we've played so far, and that's just how the scheduled kind of lined up," Stephenson said. "Divisional games are always huge. Just got to continue what we've been doing this upcoming series. Just keep finding a way to win series and we're gonna be in a good spot."
In 2025, Cincinnati went 26-26 in head-to-head matchups against the NL Central. The Reds went 7-6 against the Pirates and 8-5 against the Cubs, but dropped eight of 13 to the Brewers and seven of 13 to the Cardinals.
Cincinnati's pitchers, both starters and relievers, will be under a microscope during the Pittsburgh series because how the team performs in that area will inform how they start the Cubs series May 4. That's a day for the No. 5 spot in the Reds' starting pitching rotation, and Brandon Williamson vacated that spot when he went on the 15-day injured list April 30 (left shoulder fatigue).
The Reds also placed Graham Ashcraft on the bereavement list April 29. In the absence of Williamson and Ashcraft, Luis Mey and Zach Maxwell were called up from Triple-A on consecutive days during the Rockies series.
While Ashcraft is a crucial part of the high-leverage bridge to closer Emilio Pagán, the Reds managed without him against the Rockies. Connor Phillips worked through traffic to post a scoreless seventh inning, pumping his fist as he descended the mound after striking out Hunter Goodman.
Tony Santillan also threw a scoreless frame in the eighth, which was aided by a successful pickoff attempt at first base. The Reds took the save opportunity out of Pagán's hands by plating two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 6-2. Pagán twice faced the would-be tying run in the ninth but got through the frame.
The Cubs will be coming off a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to that, Chicago split a six-game West Coast road trip with a 3-3 record. They lost two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers and took two games from the San Diego Padres.
The Cubs feasted on the struggling Philadelphia Phillies in the middle of April, taking six out of seven games in an 11-day period April 13-23.
The Reds will look to Brady Singer to keep the pitching staff from being stretched thin in the May 1 series opener (6:45 p.m. EDT) at PNC Park as Singer (2-1, 4.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Pittsburgh right-handed Mitch Keller (2-1, 3.18).
Rhett Lowder (3-1, 3.18 ERA) and Chase Burns (3-1, 2.65 ERA) will face Camerican Mlodzinksi (1-2, 4.13 ERA) and Braxton Ashcraft (1-2, 3.71 ERA) on May 2 (4:05 p.m. EDT) and May 3 (1:35 p.m. EDT), respectively.
The Reds dealt Braxton Ashcraft a defeat on March 30, although Ashcraft recorded a quality start as he went six innings and allowed just four hits and two runs in an eventual 2-0 Cincinnati win.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The Reds ended April with 20 wins. Now, they face NL Central contenders