Swanson homer and Boyd rebound move Cubs closer to October

The Cubs took a meaningful step toward October on Saturday, beating the Reds 5-2 in Cincinnati to move to 86-69 and draw closer to a second straight postseason berth. The win also gave Chicago a more useful answer about Dansby Swanson: one day after returning from the injured list, he delivered the insurance run with his first homer since Aug. 12.

Matthew Boyd ended a six-start winless streak by allowing two runs, one earned, and two hits over five innings. He struck out four and earned his ninth win, stabilizing a game that was tied 2-2 after Cincinnati scored twice in the fifth. Boyd had been 0-4 since his Aug. 9 win over Kansas City, so the outing gave the Cubs a needed rotation result as the schedule narrowed.

The Cubs built the lead in pieces. Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly opened the scoring in the second, Seiya Suzuki's RBI single restored a 2-0 advantage in the fifth, and Michael Busch broke the tie with a solo homer in the sixth. Busch finished 2-for-3 with a walk, home run and RBI, while Nico Hoerner added an RBI single in the eighth.

Swanson's ninth-inning drive made the final margin three runs. The shortstop went 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI and two runs in his second game after missing 28 contests with a left oblique strain. His return had already changed Chicago's infield alignment; the homer showed why getting that alignment back in place matters during the playoff chase.

Chicago's pitching closed the game without another scoring threat. Ryan Rolison recorded the save, and the Cubs held Cincinnati to four hits. The Reds had taken advantage of a throwing error to tie the game in the fifth, but Chicago answered with three consecutive scoring innings and did not give the home team another opportunity.

MLB's standings context makes the result more than a routine series win. The Cubs entered the day tied with Philadelphia and San Diego for the National League's three wild-card places, and Saturday's victory moved them to 86-69 while Cincinnati fell to 72-83. Chicago still has work ahead, but Boyd's rebound, Busch's go-ahead power and Swanson's immediate contribution combined for the kind of late-season response the club needs.

The Cubs finish the Cincinnati series Sunday, with first pitch listed for 1:40 p.m. Eastern. A series win would give Chicago another chance to add distance before returning home for three games against Miami.