2012 » When he plays at his best its because

CHICAGO -- Homer Bailey doesnt even need to be at his best to win at Wrigley Field. Bailey pitched six scoreless innings in a friendly ballpark for his first win of the season and Jay Bruce homered and doubled as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 on Sunday. "He hasnt been his normal dominant self, but his slider has gotten a lot better," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Its a pitch that hes worked on for a long time. It seems like that pitch has really turned a corner and got him some big outs today." Bailey (1-1) struck out eight while allowing six hits and three walks. He came into the game with 8.16 ERA after signing a big extension in the off-season with Cincinnati. Zack Cozart hit a two-run homer for Cincinnati, which took two of three this weekend from the Cubs and has won 17 of 19 games at Wrigley Field. The Reds have won 10 straight when Bailey faces the Cubs. He is 7-0 in his last 10 outings against Chicago and 5-0 in his past six at Wrigley Field. The Reds are averaging 6 1/2 runs a game in Bailey starts. "It seems like every time I take the mound the bats show up. Im just glad I was finally able to help them out," said Bailey. The Cubs have lost six of seven. Carlos Villanueva (1-4) was tagged for five runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings. With two outs in the fourth, Devin Mesoraco and Cozart hit back-to-back RBI doubles to take a 2-0 lead. Mesoraco has a hit in all nine games hes played this season and leads the team in RBIs with 11. He missed the first week of the season with a strained oblique. Later in the inning, Bailey helped himself with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0. "Both times were in trouble with two outs and its the big leagues, youve got to put them away," Villanueva said. "When you give a team like that, an offensive team, a chance to throw a couple runs on the board theyll take advantage of it." Mesoraco finished with three hits. "Little League, rec ball, whatever it is. This is definitely the hottest Ive ever been," Mesoraco said. Todd Frazier added an RBI double and Ryan Ludwick a run-scoring single off Villanueva in the fifth inning. Villanueva wasnt much better than his previous start at St. Louis. He gave up a career-high nine runs over three-plus innings in a 10-4 loss to St. Louis. "It might seem like my (pitches) flattened out. I didnt really feel tired, but, you know, obviously the stuff wasnt as crisp," said Villanueva. "I thought I had good stuff, a lot better plan today (than my last start). Just, you know, one pitch away those two innings, you know, two outs you got to be able to (finish)." Cubs reliever Jose Veras served up Bruces leadoff shot in the seventh and Cozarts two-run shot two outs later. The Cubs didnt score until the seventh, getting a pair of RBI singles from Ryan Sweeney and Nate Schierholtz off reliever Manny Parra. Parra was lifted with one out and the bases loaded. Sam LeCure entered and got Welington Castillo to ground into a double play. NOTES: Ludwick was back in the lineup after missing Saturdays game with a bruised left big toe sustained when he fouled a pitch off his foot on Friday. Price said Ludwick was held out because of concerns about his ability to run and cut defensively. ... Reds RHP Mike Leake (2-1, 2.95) is scheduled to face Pirates LHP Francisco Liriano (0-3, 3.96) to open a four-game series in Pittsburgh on Monday at 7:05 p.m. ... The Cubs kick off a four-game home series against Arizona on Monday at 7:05 p.m. with LHP Travis Wood (0-2, 3.00) scheduled to start against RHP Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 9.95). ... Villanueva struck out seven. Cheap Jerseys From China . -- So much for concern that running back Marshawn Lynch would be absent from the Seattle Seahawks minicamp. China Jerseys Wholesale . 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On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line.England could turn to Mark Wood if Ben Stokes calf injury rules him out of the third Test against Pakistan, says Sir Ian Botham. Stokes is set for an MRI scan after pulling up while bowling shortly before England wrapped up an emphatic 330-run victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday.Wood, a member of the Ashes-winning attack last summer, has recently returned from an ankle injury, impressing for the England Lions in their one-day series against Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A. Ben Stokes picked up a calf strain at Emirates Old Trafford There isnt another all-rounder, so England will have to pick another bowler for Stokes, Botham told Sky Sports after England levelled the four-Test series at 1-1.How about Mark Wood? He is on his way back and could leapfrog his way back into the side. There is also the possibility of Adil Rashid if it is going to turn, while England also have other people that can step up.Joe Root was named Man of the Match as England hammered Pakistan by 330 runs in Manchester, the Yorkshireman hitting a career-best 254 in the first innings and a brisk 71 in the second. Watch Joe Roots double century against Pakistan during the second Test at Old Trafford However, Beefy also praised England skipper Alastair Cook - the opener recording scores of 105 and 76 not out - and all-rounder Chris Woakes, who backed up his 11-wicket haul in the 75-run defeat at Lords with seven scalps at Old Trafford.dddddddddddd.On Cook, Botham said: When he plays at his best its because he is leaving the ball well and not playing at balls outside the off-stump and bringing the slips and wicketkeeper into play. England captain Alastair Cook now has 29 Test tons and 50 half-centuries The bowlers then bowl straighter and thats right in his slot - I thought he played really well, controlling the innings and eliminating the risk.On Woakes, the Sky Cricket expert added: He has an action that repeats well and doesnt bowl many bad deliveries. His run-up is sorted, he doesnt bowl no-balls and seems to have an injury-free, uncomplicated style, while he has also added a yard of pace.Watch Englands third Investec Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston from 10am on Wednesday, August 3 on Sky Sports 2. Also See: Stokes set for scan England fixtures/results Get Sky Sports WATCH: Nassers catching demo ' ' '