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Cincinnati Reds rookie starting pitcher Brandon Williamson earned the third victory of his Major League Baseball career at the legendary Dodger Stadium last Friday night, and seeks No. 4 at another "bucket list" stadium in Wrigley Field in Chicago tonight.
The hard-throwing rookie left-hander allowed two earned runs on eight hits, struck out two and issued four walks in 5 2/3 innings pitched to earn the winning decision in Cincinnati's 6-5 victory over the National League West Division-leading Dodgers in Los Angeles five days ago.
Jake Fraley belted his 15th HR of the season to stake Williamson and the Reds to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, while Spencer Steer contributed a solo shot in the seventh.
The 25-year-old pride of Martin County carries a 3-2 record, a 4.48 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings worked into tonight's 7:05 p.m. start against the Cubs in Chicago.
Williamson squares off against the Cubs' Drew Smyly, who takes the mound with an 8-7 record, 4.50 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched.
Williamson and the Reds have compiled a 59-49 record (.546), including a 7-3 mark during the past 10 games, and stand atop the National League Central Division.
Cincinnati holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee and are 5 games ahead of the Cubs.