Right-hander Adam Warren did his part in a spot start Wednesday against the Reds, but the rest of the day didn’t go so well for the Cubs in a 5-3 loss at Wrigley Field.
‘‘He did an outstanding job,’’ manager Joe Maddon said of Warren, who retired the last 11 batters he faced and turned over a 3-1 lead to the bullpen after five innings. He struck out six and gave up one run, a home run by Zack Cozart to start the game.
Tucker Barnhart delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer against Trevor Cahill in the seventh.
Maddon said Warren might get another spot start after the All-Star break.
‘‘I was pleased with the way I threw the ball,’’ Warren said. ‘‘It’s nice to be able to give the starters a break during a long stretch.’’
Shortstop Addison Russell, who was named a starter for the National League All-Star team Tuesday, was one of the more roductive Cubs in the series. He had three homers, a double and seven RBI in a 5-for-13 series — putting him on pace for 21 home runs and 95 RBIs this season.
But the Cubs lost the series, and they’ve dropped 12 of their last 17 games.
‘‘I really can’t explain it right now,’’ Russell said. ‘‘Obviously, the past few weeks, it hasn’t been working. But we still have high hopes and high faith.’’
Notes: To make room on the roster for Adam Warren, veteran Joel Peralta, who joined the bullpen last week, was designated for assignment. He allowed four earned runs in four innings. … The Cubs put catcher David Ross, who left the game Tuesday after taking a hard foul ball off his mask, on the seven-day disabled list for concussions. … With Ross unavailable Saturday, Maddon said rookie Willson Contreras will catch veteran All-Star Jon Lester in is final start before the break. … Infielder Tommy La Stella (hamstring) was activated after spending four weeks on the disabled list and started at third base. He singled and scored in four at-bats. … When catcher Miguel Montero caught Jay Bruce trying to steal second in the ninth inning, it marked the first time in eight tries in the last two games the Reds were thrown out. Billy Hamilton (three), Jose Peraza (two), Brandon Phillips and Zack Cozart were successful. … Maddon said a decision must be made before Friday when All-Star Dexter Fowler (hamstring) goes out on a one- or two-day minor-league rehab assignment. That “probably” rules him out for a weekend return against the Pirates before the All-Star break. But the Cubs aren’t ruling out activating Fowler for the July 12 All-Star Game if he’s ready.
