CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds’ wasteful offense and troublesome bullpen let another one slip away.

Jonathan Herrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the 11th inning, and David Ross followed with a bases-loaded double that sent the Chicago Cubs to a 7-3 victory on Friday night that underscored the Reds’ two biggest problems so far.

“We had good energy in the dugout, but we couldn’t create any separation,” manager Bryan Price said. “We kind of invited them back into the game. It was out there for us to win, and we couldn’t get it done.”

Chicago pulled off its first extra-inning win on the road, leaving the Cubs 3-0 in extra innings overall.

Anthony Rizzo homered, doubled and started Chicago’s winning rally with a single off Burke Badenhop (0-1) as the Reds’ bullpen failed again. The Reds’ bullpen has a 5.36 ERA, worst in the National League.

Herrera singled home the go-ahead run, and Ross doubled home two more. Starting pitcher Travis Wood drove in the final run with a pinch-hit grounder.

Jason Motte (1-0) got Jay Bruce to foul out with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, keeping it tied at 3. Hector Rondon retired the side in order in the 11th for his fourth save in five chances.

Cincinnati stranded eight runners and went 0 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

“We had opportunities to pull it out,” Bruce said. “We just couldn’t come through tonight. The writing was on the wall.”

Jon Lester, the Cubs’ biggest offseason acquisition, remained winless in four starts. He got a six-year, $155 million deal last December that included a $30 million signing bonus — a record for a major leaguer.

Lester allowed three runs in six innings and fanned a season-high 10 batters. He has allowed at least three runs in each start. The left-hander couldn’t slow down Billy Hamilton, who singled twice, stole three bases and scored a pair of runs.

Mike Leake gave up three runs in seven innings, striking out a season-high nine. Leake is 8-2 career against the Cubs and 5-0 in eight starts against them at Great American Ball Park.

Leake gave up Rizzo’s two-run homer in the fourth and Chris Coghlan’s solo shot in the seventh that tied it at 3. Coghlan is 9 for 11 career against Leake with three doubles and a pair of homers.

“I definitely put more focus on him,” Leake said. “I felt like I did a pretty good job. I didn’t realize he was 8 for 8 against me (coming in). At least I got him out.”

FLASHBACK

The Reds reunited most of their 1990 World Series championship team and wore replicas of their 1990 uniforms for the game.

REMEMBERING ERNIE

The Reds showed a photo of the late Ernie Banks on the videoboard and observed a moment of silence in his memory before the game. The Hall of Fame slugger, who spent his entire major league career with the Cubs, died on Jan. 23.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: Reliever Pedro Strop wasn’t available because of a sore foot.

Reds: C Devin Mesoraco is still limited to a pinch-hit role because of a sore left hip. He hopes to try catching in the bullpen in the next few days. Mesoraco has been limited to two pinch-hit appearances in the last 11 games.

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (2-1) makes his second appearance against the Reds this season. He allowed three runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss at Wrigley Field on April 14.

Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-0) hasn’t given up a run in his last 15 innings, a career best. He makes his fourth start with the Reds, who got him from Miami in the trade for Mat Latos. He got the win in the 3-2 victory at Wrigley on April 14, throwing seven shutout innings.

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