CHICAGO (AP) — Even when the Cincinnati Reds fell behind early, manager Bryan Price never believed they were out of it.

The Chicago Cubs had other plans.

Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler each homered, and the Cubs ended the banged-up Reds’ four-game winning streak with a 6-3 victory Thursday night.

Montero’s three-run homer in the first off rookie Michael Lorenzen (1-2) gave Chicago an early lead, and Fowler’s third-inning drive put the Cubs in front 4-2.

“(The Cubs) turned the tables on us,” Price said. “We’ve been so much better offensively here the last few weeks. I didn’t think that was a hole we couldn’t get out of.”

Kris Bryant added an RBI double in the fifth for the Cubs, who overcame a rough night from their starting pitcher.

Tsuyoshi Wada was coming off his worst start with the Cubs when he allowed five runs in 3 2-3 innings on June 5 in Washington, and he wasn’t much better Thursday. He allowed three runs and four hits in three-plus innings before being replaced by Travis Wood (3-2) following Chris Dominguez’s home run to begin the fourth.

Wood pitched 2 1-3 innings and was one of five Chicago relievers that combined to throw six scoreless innings and in one stretch retire 14 consecutive batters.

“You can’t say enough about the bullpen,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “

Already with a rash of injuries, the Reds were playing their first game without Zack Cozart after the shortstop was ruled out for the season with a torn tendon and two torn ligaments. He was hurt trying to beat out a grounder Wednesday against Philadelphia.

Along with Cozart, the Reds were missing opening-day starters Marlon Byrd (right wrist), Billy Hamilton (left wrist), Devin Mesoraco (hip), and Brandon Phillips (left groin).

Lorenzen went 4 1-3 innings, allowing five hits, six runs — five earned — while walking three and striking out six. He also had a two-out triple in the second against Wada, bringing in Brayan Pena and Suarez.

But after giving up the early home run, Lorenzen settled in, but couldn’t keep the Cubs from pulling away.

“One thing I was happy about is I didn’t step off the gas,” Lorenzen said. “I kept going and I kept going out there and saying, ‘OK, this is what I have today and I’m going to keep coming at you with it and they kept tacking (runs) on.”

HIS FATHER’S HOME

Reds 2B Ivan De Jesus Jr. played his second career game at Wrigley Field and went 1 for 4. His father, Ivan De Jesus Sr., spent five seasons with the Cubs and was dealt to Philadelphia in 1982 for Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: Price said Phillips is day to day, and that he anticipated seeing Hamilton in the lineup Friday if his workouts went well Thursday. … Mesoraco played left field but departed from Wednesday’s game early during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville due to soreness. Price said the team might have to reevaluate whether he can physically play the outfield.

Cubs: Maddon said he hasn’t heard anything new on RHP Neil Ramirez (right shoulder).

UP NEXT

Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.64 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.76). Entering Thursday, Hammel (0.893) and Cueto (0.945) were the top two in the NL in walks and hits per innings pitched.