The Hard-Hitting Reds Continue Hold on First Place

Cincinnati continues to show off its power against the Cubs, pounding 10 long balls on the way to a 3-1 series win. The Reds are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have surged past St. Louis to lead the National League. The Cubbies suddenly are moving the other direction, going 4-6 in the past 10.

Pete Rose now has a 13-game hitting streak and is batting .342, while Vada Pinson has a big series and a 12-game hit streak of his own.

Game 1: CIN 7, CUBS 1
W: Nolan (1-1)
L: Holtzman (7-3)
MVP: Nolan

20-year-old Gary Nolan wins his first game of the year by coming of age in dramatic fashion, piecing together a complete game with nine Ks. Four homers, including two from Pete Rose (6, 7) finish off Ken Holtzman and the Cubs.

Game 2:  CUBS 7, CIN 4
W: J. Niekro (6-3)
L: Culver (5-4)
MVP: Phillips

The Cubs storm back behind a three-run first-inning home run from Adolfo Phillips and seven runs off Reds starter George Culver.

Game 3: CIN 5, CUBS 4
W: Maloney (5-3)
L: Jenkins (7-4)
S: Carroll (1)
MVP: Pinson

The best game of the series. Cincinnati takes an early lead off Fergie Jenkins behind a two-run shot from Tony Perez (8) but the Cubs start hitting Jim Maloney to tie it at three in the fifth, with Billy Williams blasting his 13th big fly. But with Chicago leading 4-3 in the top of eighth and a man on for the Reds with one down, Vada Pinson hits a heart-breaking two-run homer (2) that is the eventual game winner. The Cubs put Al Spangler on second with one out in the ninth off Clay Carroll, but Glenn Beckert hits it back to the pitcher on a hit and run. Carroll proceeds to double off Spangler, who was running on the play.

Game 4: CIN 7, CUBS 4
W: Cloninger (1-0)
L: Reberger (0-1)
MVP: Bench

After a quiet series, Johnny Bench breaks out with a two-run homer off spot starter Frank Reberger, as the Reds take an early 6-2 lead. The Cubs try to make a comeback off a wild Tony Cloninger but a shaky Bill Lee closes it out fpr the Reds.