Kyle Schwarber, the playmaker, leads the Cubs to defeat the Reds

CHICAGO – For most of the season, Cubs have been looking for ways to put together a problem-filled paddock. At the height of the playoffs, the group has become a zone of strength, even if Craig Kimbrel, closer to him, is not at the rendezvous.
That was on

CHICAGO – For most of the season, Cubs have been looking for ways to put together a problem-filled paddock. At the height of the playoffs, the group has become a zone of strength, even if Craig Kimbrel, closer to him, is not at the rendezvous.

It was again visible Monday night, when the Cubs' relief corps restored order after a tough start to Cole Hamels in an 8-2 win over the Reds at Wrigley Field. The pen recorded 5 2/3 innings of white clearance, while Kyle Schwarber propelled the attack with a three-point run.

With their fifth consecutive victory, the Cubs have retained a game in front of the Brewers in the race for second place in the Wild Card of the National League. Chicago played in the semi-final of the Wild Card with less than half a day of the National, while keeping two games late on the Cardinals, leaders of the Central League.

Schwarber's shot in the opening leg of Reds starter Kevin Gausman was the 37th circuit of the season for the outfielder, giving him the maximum in a season for a left-handed hitter, as Billy Williams got the same total in 1972. The Cubs added five more points. , including two on the 55th double of Nicholas Castellanos of the season in eighth.

Hamels was charged with two points, made five strides and hit a batter in a series of 73 shots and 36 shots. The southpaw was eliminated after 3 1/3 inning, scoring the first time in his career that he lasted less than five innings in three consecutive starts in a season. The Cubs' paddock, entered Monday with the NL's best EER (2.56) in September, held Cincinnati in check.