Zack Littell struck out eight in seven crisp innings in his Cincinnati debut, and the Reds beat the slumping Chicago Cubs 5-1 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

Littell (9-8) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since he was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last week.

Spencer Steer hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in Cincinnati’s four-run seventh inning. The Reds (60-54) won for the third time in four games.

Matt Shaw homered for the Cubs (65-48), who finished with four hits. They had just three hits in Monday’s 3-2 loss in the series opener.

The Cubs have dropped three of their last four games. They trail the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers by four games.

Steer singled home Miguel Andujar in the fifth inning, but Shaw responded with his se

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