CHICAGO, April 21 (UPI) -- In his first start in nearly seven years, Jose Rijo allowed an unearned run in five innings Sunday as the Cincinnati Reds recorded a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Rijo (1-0) started for the first time since July 18, 1995 and notched his first win since July 13 that season -- also at Wrigley Field. He allowed three hits, struck out one and walked one as he improved to 11-3 all time against the Cubs.
The Reds gave the veteran righthander all the support he needed in the first two innings. For the second straight game, they scored three runs in the first inning. Adam Dunn had a two-run triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Boone.
Rookie Austin Kearns belted his first career home run in the second inning off Chicago starter Juan Cruz (0-4).
