Bruce lifts Reds to sweep of Cubs

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08/08/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jay Bruce was one of four Reds with two runs driven in, going 3-for-4 in Cincinnati's 11-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs to help complete a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field.

Joey Votto added a two-run blast, his 28th of the season, while Ryan Hanigan and Juan Francisco also had two RBI each for the Reds, who have won four in a row and seven of eight during their run to the top of the NL Central standings.

Travis Wood (3-1) lost a no-hit bid in the sixth and finished with four runs allowed -- three earned -- on four hits and two walks in 6 1/3 frames.

Jeff Baker homered for the Cubs, losers in 10 of 11. Thomas Diamond (0-2), making his second career start, was reached for five runs, four hits and three walks in just three innings to take the loss.

The Reds' offense scored in four of the first five innings to open up a seven- run lead.

Chris Heisey was hit by a pitch to start the game, but was retired on Miguel Cairo's fielder's choice. Votto followed with another fielder's choice groundout and moved to second on an error, and Jonny Gomes walked. Bruce scored both runners with a double down the right field line.

Heisey's sacrifice fly in the second made it a 3-0 game, and Cincinnati tacked on two more runs in the third.

Two walks and a single quickly loaded the bases with nobody out, and Francisco scored Votto on a fielder's choice groundout. Hanigan's sacrifice fly followed with a 5-0 margin.

In the fifth, the Reds scored two more in what was a carbon copy of the third. The bases were loaded with nobody out after a double and two walks, and Francisco plated Votto with a fielder's choice groundout. Hanigan hit another sacrifice fly to increase the lead to seven.

Cincinnati kept piling on runs with Paul Janish's RBI single in the seventh.

Meanwhile, Wood was both dominant and efficient early on. He retired the first six Cubs batters with just 14 pitches and induced a double play groundout after walking Xavier Nady to begin the third.

He didn't allow a hit until Koyie Hill's one-out single in the sixth and extended the shutout bid until the seventh, when Baker led off with his fourth home run of the season.

Chicago, though, used the momentum of Baker's blast to climb back into the game. Derrek Lee walked and moved to third on an Aramis Ramirez double. Marlon Byrd sent a ground ball to Francisco at third, but he sailed the throw into the crowd behind first base, allowing two runs to score and Byrd to move to second.

Nady hit a RBI ground-rule double two batters later for an 8-4 contest before Bill Bray came on from the bullpen and limited the damage.

Votto quickly put an end to Chicago's comeback hopes, slamming a two-run homer in the eighth to put Cincinnati in front by a score of 10-4.

Cairo's RBI triple in the ninth accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

The Reds have dominated the season series, 10-3. Cincinnati recorded its first series sweep at Wrigley Field since August 8-10, 2005...Wood has won three consecutive starts...Diamond, who struck out 10 in his debut to tie a team record, fanned only one on Sunday.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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