Dansby Swanson homers twice as Chicago Cubs pound Cincinnati Reds 20-9 #Dansby #Swanson #homers #Chicago #Cubs #pound #Cincinnati #Reds

CHICAGO (AP) — Dansby Swanson homered twice and drove in five runs, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Cincinnati Reds 20-9 on Tuesday night.

Mike Tauchman also went deep and finished with four RBIs as Chicago won for the ninth time in 11 games, bouncing back in a major way after a 6-5 loss in the opener of the four-game series. The Cubs bashed seven homers while also setting season highs for runs and hits with 21.

Jeimer Candelario went 4 for 5 and scored two runs in his first game since he was reacquired by Chicago in a trade with Washington on Monday. Candelario also made his big league debut with the Cubs in 2016.

Chicago (54-53) pulled within four games of NL Central-leading Cincinnati. It also remains in the mix for a wild card.

Tyler Stephenson hit a two-run homer for the Reds, and Matt McLain finished with three hits and two RBIs. Christian Encarnacion-Strand added a two-run single in the team’s four-run ninth inning.

Cincinnati (59-50) had its division lead trimmed to a half-game over Milwaukee, which won 6-4 at Washington.

MAKING MOVES

Sam Moll joined Cincinnati one day after he was acquired in a trade with Oakland. The lefty reliever pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his Reds debut.

“It’s exciting. Obviously a quick turnaround,” Moll said before the loss. “One day you’re in one color. The next day you’re in the other, so it’s just a little bit of just craziness. But same game, same thing, same job.”

Right-hander Daniel Duarte was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the roster.

Cincinnati did not make another trade ahead of the deadline.

“We had a lot of conversations,” general manager Nick Krall said. “I thought we were getting closer, but at the end of the day, just couldn’t pull off a deal.”

WORTH NOTING

Veteran first baseman Trey Mancini was designated for assignment to make room on Chicago’s roster for Candelario.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (right hip pain) was sent to the Arizona Complex League Reds for a rehab assignment. … RHP Casey Legumina (shoulder pain) had his rehab assignment transferred from the ACL to Louisville.

UP NEXT

Drew Smyly (8-7, 4.50 ERA) starts Wednesday night for Chicago. Brandon Williamson (3-2, 4.48 ERA) pitches for Cincinnati in a matchup of left-handers.