Jay Bruce’s first game-ending home run of the season didn’t have the impact of his last one. Still it reminded the Reds of the success they had a year ago.

Bruce hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning that lifted the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

The right fielder’s last game-winner came 50 weeks ago off Houston’s Tim Byrdak on Sept. 28 to clinch the Central Division title.

“They’re awesome,” Bruce said. “It shows resiliency. It shows we haven’t given up. That’s my third walk off. The other two were in tighter situations but they’ve all been great.”

Bruce’s first career home run was a game-ender.

Joey Votto led off the 11th against James Russell (1-6) with a double to left-center field. Bruce connected on the next pitch for his 31st homer of the season, giving the Reds their third straight win over Chicago after losing the opener of the four-game series.

Nick Masset (3-5) pitched the 11th for the win.

The Cubs handed Francisco Cordero his first blown save since July 10 by scoring twice in the ninth to make it 6-all. Tony Campana led off with a pinch-hit single and scored on pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano’s double. One out later, Darwin Barney chopped a tying single.

Cordero had successfully converted 16 consecutive save opportunities since the All-Star break.

“We wanted to get Homer the win,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We figured he’d had enough. You hate to see Cordero’s streak end but we’ll take the win.”

Reds starter Homer Bailey, who hadn’t allowed more than two home runs in any of his previous 19 starts this season, gave up a pair in a span of four batters in the first inning.

“You come out there and you don’t expect it to be 40 degrees,” Bailey said. “I made some pretty good pitches in that inning but they hit them.”

Aramis Ramirez singled with two outs and Carlos Pena followed with his 28th home run of the season, a majestic 461-foot drive on a 3-2 pitch that landed in a party area on top of the center field batter’s eye.

Bryan LaHair kept the inning going with a single to center, extending his career-opening hitting streak to nine games, and Marlon Byrd hit the first pitch 414 feet into the Cincinnati bullpen in left-center field.

Bailey settled down and lasted six innings, giving up six hits and four runs with three walks and nine strikeouts, matching his season high.

“I found the release point that I needed,” Bailey said.

Brandon Phillips hit his 16th home run, and fourth of the four-game series, in the third to cut Chicago’s lead to 4-1. Chris Heisey hit his 17th homer, and second in two nights, in the Reds fourth.

The Reds scored three times in the fifth. Bailey started the rally with a one-out single. Phillips doubled and Drew Stubbs hit an RBI single just over the glove of a leaping Starlin Castro at shortstop.

Votto walked to load the bases, and Wells walked Yonder Alonso to force in the tying run. Jeff Samardzija relieved Wells and got Heisey to hit a sharp one-hopper that glanced off the pitcher’s foot to Castro, whose throw to first wasn’t in time, allowing Stubbs to score the go-ahead run.

The Reds reached Randy Wells for seven hits and five runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 4 1-3 innings. He also threw a wild pitch.

“Some nights you just get beat,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “It’s tough we played hard. Wells change up deserted him a little bit.”

The Reds added a run in the sixth when Paul Janish drew a leadoff walk, moved to third on Stubbs’ two-out single and scored on reliever John Gaub’s wild pitch.

NOTES: Soriano’s double was the 400th of his career. … Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo, scheduled to start against Milwaukee in Friday’s series opener, is coming off the shortest start of his career. He failed to get an out in the second inning of Cincinnati’s 12-7 loss Saturday at Colorado. … Cubs RHP Matt Garza is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA over his last three starts going into his appearance Friday against Houston at Chicago.

Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings, Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday.

Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs — one earned — while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Dontrelle Willis (0-5) allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking five on a crisp day at Wrigley Field. Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI.

With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers.

Willis made his 200th career start looking for his first big-league win since June 5, 2010. He has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008.

The Reds haven’t scored more than three runs for Willis in any of his 11 starts this season.

Garza had his own problems with support this season, entering with just four wins in 14 starts at Wrigley Field despite a 2.76 home ERA.

Stubbs walked and scored on Alonso’s single in the first to get the Reds on the scoreboard first.

Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes.

The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded.

He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1.

Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally.

The Reds cut the lead to two when Alonso scored an unearned run on a Devin Mesoraco’s groundout in the seventh, the rookie’s first career RBI. Cincinnati pulled within a run when Castro misplayed Joey Votto’s grounder in the eighth, allowing Brandon Phillips to score.

Stubbs walked and stole second in the third, but ran the Reds out of a scoring opportunity by taking off for third on a routine fly out and getting doubled off second base. Stubbs struck out twice, increasing his NL-high total to 184.

NOTES: The Cubs activated RHP Andrew Cashner (strained right rotator cuff) from the 60-day disabled list. Cashner hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering the injury on April 5, his only outing of the season. Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Red manager Dusty Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings, Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday.

Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs — one earned — while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Dontrelle Willis (0-5) allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking five on a crisp day at Wrigley Field. Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI.

With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers.

Willis made his 200th career start looking for his first big-league win since June 5, 2010. He has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008.

The Reds haven’t scored more than three runs for Willis in any of his 11 starts this season.

Garza had his own problems with support this season, entering with just four wins in 14 starts at Wrigley Field despite a 2.76 home ERA.

Stubbs walked and scored on Alonso’s single in the first to get the Reds on the scoreboard first.

Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes.

The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded.

He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1.

Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally.

The Reds cut the lead to two when Alonso scored an unearned run on a Devin Mesoraco’s groundout in the seventh, the rookie’s first career RBI. Cincinnati pulled within a run when Castro misplayed Joey Votto’s grounder in the eighth, allowing Brandon Phillips to score.

Stubbs walked and stole second in the third, but ran the Reds out of a scoring opportunity by taking off for third on a routine fly out and getting doubled off second base. Stubbs struck out twice, increasing his NL-high total to 184.

NOTES: The Cubs activated RHP Andrew Cashner (strained right rotator cuff) from the 60-day disabled list. Cashner hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering the injury on April 5, his only outing of the season. Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Red manager Dusty Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

CHICAGO — Though it’s hard to tell from Dontrelle Willis’ record that he’s enjoying a comeback season, he’s not letting the numbers keep him down. Despite throwing seven solid innings, Willis again fell victim to control problems and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday. In his 200th big-league start, Willis (0-5) was still looking for his first win since June 5, 2010. Despite holding Chicago to four runs and striking out eight, he still searching, largely because he walked five. “I felt great,” Willis said. “I had a couple of mental lapses out there as far as pitch selection and it cost me. It’s just frustrating. It’s just one big inning cost us the game.” The Reds haven’t given Willis more than three runs of support in any of his 11 starts this season, but it was the lefty’s loss of command that cost him on Monday. “It’s just a situation where he just lost the strike zone, but then he got it back,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “They had the two-out rally, no one on base the next inning.” Matt Garza (8-10) pitched effectively into the eighth and Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single for the Cubs. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save. “Garza was fantastic,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “He pitched around a couple of mistakes. He hasn’t had many leads and he continues to pitch well.” Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, and Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI for the Reds. With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers, but Willis said the blustery conditions weren’t a factor. “I just try to throw the ball over the plate and pitch my game,” Willis said. “Nothing changes with the elements and stuff like that.” Willis has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year has been with three different teams since the start of last season but seems to have found a home in Cincinnati. He hasn’t allowed more than four earned runs in any of his 11 starts this season. “I have another start in four days,” Willis said. “I try to keep battling and prevent the big inning. Hopefully I get a ‘W’ out of it. You try to live and learn and stay positive for your teammates. I think that’s contagious for our ballclub. “It’s frustrating because I’ve pitched worse and worn. But at the same token, I like the way me and (rookie catcher Devin) Mesoraco worked back there today.” Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes. The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded. “He had great command of the strike zone until that inning, then just lost it in that one inning,” Baker said. “Fortunately for us, they only got the one run out of it but then they had the (three)-run rally with the possible windblown ball that could have been caught in left.” He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1. Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally. It was another tough loss for Willis, but he’s keeping his chin up. “This was my 200th big-league start, so I’m happy to have that longevity,” Willis said. “I’m going to continue to battle and fight and hopefully I’ll get won and then they’ll come in bunches.” NOTES: Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

Matt Garza pitched eight strong innings, Aramis Ramirez had a tiebreaking two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Monday.

Garza (8-10) gave up six hits and three runs — one earned — while striking out eight and walking three to win for just the second time at home since June 27. Carlos Marmol finished up for his 32nd save.

Ramirez had his two-run single in the fifth, walked twice and scored a run. Starlin Castro added a single, walk and two runs.

Dontrelle Willis (0-5) allowed six hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking five on a crisp day at Wrigley Field. Drew Stubbs singled, walked and scored a run, Yonder Alonso had two singles, a run and an RBI.

With a game-time temperature of 62 degrees and a 21 mph wind howling in from center field, it was a day made for the pitchers.

Willis made his 200th career start looking for his first big-league win since June 5, 2010. He has won just three of his last 38 starts, going back to 2008.

The Reds haven’t scored more than three runs for Willis in any of his 11 starts this season.

Garza had his own problems with support this season, entering with just four wins in 14 starts at Wrigley Field despite a 2.76 home ERA.

Stubbs walked and scored on Alonso’s single in the first to get the Reds on the scoreboard first.

Willis retired the first nine Cubs in order, three by strikeout. He threw just 29 pitches in his first three innings, 24 for strikes.

The left-hander lost track of the strike zone in the fourth, walking the bases full. Soriano tied the score with a first-pitch single to left but Willis recovered to leave the bases loaded.

He got two quick outs in the fifth, but five straight Cubs hitters reached as they scored three runs. Castro singled with two outs. Willis could have escaped the inning, but Alonso couldn’t track down Reed Johnson’s high fly ball into the swirling wind in left. The ball stuck in the ivy, sending Castro back to third. Ramirez then lined a single to left, putting the Cubs up 3-1.

Two batters later, Willis threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Ramirez and capping the Cubs’ rally.

The Reds cut the lead to two when Alonso scored an unearned run on a Devin Mesoraco’s groundout in the seventh, the rookie’s first career RBI. Cincinnati pulled within a run when Castro misplayed Joey Votto’s grounder in the eighth, allowing Brandon Phillips to score.

Stubbs walked and stole second in the third, but ran the Reds out of a scoring opportunity by taking off for third on a routine fly out and getting doubled off second base. Stubbs struck out twice, increasing his NL-high total to 184.

NOTES: The Cubs activated RHP Andrew Cashner (strained right rotator cuff) from the 60-day disabled list. Cashner hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering the injury on April 5, his only outing of the season. Mesoraco made his first big-league start as Willis’ battery mate. The pair worked together at Triple-A Louisville, where Willis went 5-2 earlier this season. Red manager Dusty Baker said Mesoraco will also start on Tuesday. The area around Bronson Arroyo’s left knee was wrapped and the righty walked with a slight limp before Monday’s game, but Baker said he expected Arroyo to make his next start. Arroyo was hit in the fleshy area above the knee by a Rafael Furcal liner drive on Sunday. Mike Leake starts on Tuesday for Cincinnati against the Cubs’ Rodrigo Lopez. Leake leads the Reds with 11 wins on the season.

CARDINALS vs. CINCINNATI REDS

At Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Scouting report — This is the start of a
10-day, nine-game trip that takes the Reds from Busch to Wrigley
Field and then out west for a weekend against the Colorado Rockies.
… Tonight’s starter, Johnny Cueto, leads the National League with
a 2.05 ERA. He would be the first Cincy starter to lead the league
in ERA since 1944. … The Reds promoted eight September callups
from Class AAA Louisville. The group included top prospects Devin
Mesoraco, a catcher, and Juan Francisco, a third baseman. Edinson
Volquez and Travis Wood, two former major leaguers, are also
earmarked for promotions from Triple A. … Cincy closer Francisco
Cordero has converted a dozen consecutive saves since the All-Star
break. … Scott Rolen remains on the disabled list after requiring
shoulder surgery on Aug. 3 to remove bone spurs and loose
fragments. … Dusty Baker is eight wins shy of tying Hall of Famer
Earl Weaver for 21st all-time.

Projected pitching matchups:

Today, 7:15 p.m. — RH Chris Carpenter (8-9,
3.76 ERA) vs. RH Johnny Cueto (9-5, 2.05)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m. — LH Jaime Garcia (10-7,
3.73) vs. RH Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.35)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m. — RH Edwin Jackson (4-2,
3.57) vs. RH Bronson Arroyo (8-11, 5.13)

Derrick Goold