Javier Baez Hits 2 Home Runs in Cubs' Win over Nicholas Castellanos, Reds

The Chicago Cubs (4-1) picked up a second straight road win Tuesday despite a challenge from some former teammates in an 8-5 victory at the Cincinnati Reds (1-4).

Righty Alec Mills went six innings in his season debut with two earned runs on two hits for the Cubs, while Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle lasted just four innings.

It's the fourth consecutive loss for the Reds following a 7-1 win against the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day. In a 60-game season, the slow start may signal trouble for a club seen as a dark-horse candidate to win the National League Central.

Notable Performers

Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs: 5 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 3 RBI, 2 HR

David Bote, 3B, Chicago Cubs: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR

Nicholas Castellanos, RF, Cincinnati Reds: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR

Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 SO, 1 HR

Castellanos Takes Cubs Deep

Nicholas Castellanos made the Cubs regret letting him get away this offseason with his first home run of the year Tuesday.

Now that he's staying put in the National League Central, that could become a regular occurrence.

Castellanos did everything he could last season with the Cubs to earn an extension in Chicago. The Cubs let him walk in free agency, anyway. The team opted to save money over the winter and spent just $3.8 million total on the open market.

That led Castellanos to rival Cincinnati, where the Reds signed him for four years and $64 million.

As MLB.com's Jordan Bastian pointed out in January, there was an argument for Castellanos as the most important hitter in Chicago's lineup over the final two months of the season:

Slash line: .321/.356/.646
Compiled: 16 homers, 21 doubles, 36 RBI
Discipline: 4.4 percent walk rate, 20.9 percent strikeout rate
Advanced: 154 wRC+, 2.0 WAR (FanGraphs)

One of the issues that stopped the Cubs from bringing Castellanos back was the need for Kyle Schwarber to remain in left field. With Jason Heyward in right field and Albert Almora Jr. in center, Chicago figured it was set.

The universal designated hitter, however, changed that. The Cubs are paying the price again. It's likely they'll feel it for years to come.

Baez Breaks Out with Two Blasts

Here comes Javier Baez.

The shortstop became the latest member of the top of the Cubs' order to find his swing following a 3-for-17 start at the plate.

Tuesday saw the 27-year-old reach base three times in five at-bats with a double and two home runs against the Reds. It was even more important with Kris Bryant out of the lineup in favor of David Bote at third base—who launched a home run in the eighth inning to extend Chicago's lead.

Bryant's slow start (1-for-17) has only increased pressure on the top of the order to keep the lineup moving. Baez did just that with plenty of help behind him, too.

The Cubs' Nos. 6-9 hitters combined to go 6-for-13 with four RBI and a wild triple off the bat of Jason Kipnis.

What's Next?

Game 3 of the four-game series will feature both clubs' aces on the mound. Chicago's Kyle Hendricks gets his second start after a complete game, three-hitter with nine strikeouts on Opening Day, while the Reds' Sonny Gray takes the hill after also striking out nine in his first appearance of the year.

First pitch is slated for 6:40 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park.