The Cubs opened their Cincinnati series with a 6-4 loss Friday night, a result that left Chicago 72-82 and still looking for a cleaner start to the weekend. The Reds scored twice in the first inning and added three more runs in the sixth before Chicago's late push fell short.

Elly De La Cruz set the tone for Cincinnati by going 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs and a stolen base. Jose Trevino drove in two runs, while Eugenio Suárez and Spencer Steer each added an RBI. The Reds finished with eight hits and five walks.

Chicago managed four runs on seven hits. Clay Holmes took the loss after Cincinnati's early pressure, while Julian Aguiar earned the win and Emilio Pagán closed the game for his 24th save. The official game record lists the contest as a 2-hour, 44-minute final at Great American Ball Park.

The Cubs get a quick chance to answer Saturday at 6:40 p.m. Eastern. Cincinnati's listed probable starter is Chase Burns, who enters with a 15-3 record and a 2.86 ERA. Chicago needs a better first turn through the order and a sharper response when the Reds create traffic.