Ben Zobrist hitting his stride with 2 homers in Chicago Cubs' 7-3 win

CINCINNATI -- Last season, Ben Zobrist got hot at the right time to help lead the Kansas City Royals to a World Series title. He's hoping to do the same for the Chicago Cubs.

On Friday night, Zobrist homered twice and Anthony Rizzo singled home two runs, lifting the Cubs to a 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to open the final regular-season series for both clubs at Great American Ball Park.

It was the second multi-home run game of the season for Zobrist and the seventh of his career. He now has 17 homers this season.

"Getting a few results here, hitting the ball harder, driving the ball a few times in the past week has helped," Zobrist said. "Regardless of whether you're making the playoffs or not, you want to finish the regular season strong. Try to be clicking on all cylinders."

Zobrist went 3-for-4 with two homers, a double and three RBIs to close out September, which has been a rough month at times for him.

While he batted .243 in September, Zobrist drew 20 walks, the most for him in any month this season.

"That's who he is," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He'll go through spurts where he's not hitting the ball hard or getting a lot of hits, but you look up at the numbers and they're kind of like the same, because he doesn't pile on at-bats by putting bad pitches in play."

With the win, the Cubs (102-57) improved to 14-3 this season against the Reds, including 8-2 at Great American Ball Park.

Joey Votto hit his 29th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth, for Cincinnati.

Reds right-hander Josh Smith, making his second start of the season, retired the first 12 batters he faced. Smith (3-3) took the loss but again provided much-needed innings for his team.

"Smith's innings this year are invaluable," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He's pitched in a multitude of roles, starter, long relief, middle relief. He's getting acclimated to pitching in the big leagues in high leverage situations."

The Cubs swung early in the count against Smith, with 10 of their first 12 outs made by outfielders. Smith had only one strikeout through four innings and one ground-ball out.

But Zobrist abruptly ended Smith's perfection with a solo home run to right field, his 16th of the season, to put the Cubs ahead 1-0.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, managed only two hits against Cubs starter Jake Buchanan (1-0) through five innings. He walked one and struck out three while throwing 66 pitches.

Buchanan was making his first start of the season and second appearance for the Cubs.

"I was just hoping to throw strikes -- and compete," Buchanan said. "I'll take it. It felt good to get back out there. Hopefully build on that, come to spring training next year and try and compete."

Zobrist doubled leading off the seventh and scored on Addison Russell's double to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead. It was Russell's 95th RBI of the season.

Rizzo singled home two runs in the eighth, giving him 108 RBIs.

Later in the inning, Zobrist hit another blast to right field off Abel De Los Santos, a two-run shot to put Chicago ahead 7-1.

"That four-run inning gave them the separation they needed," Price said.

It was the 39th home run hit by the Cubs this season against the Reds, a season high for any Reds opponent.

Zobrist's blast also negated any save situation, meaning an appearance by former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman on the Great American Ball Park mound would have to wait at least one more day.

Two regular-season games remain for the National League Central champions, who have already wrapped up home-field advantage in the playoffs.

For Zobrist and his teammates, now's the time to grab some momentum heading into the postseason.

"I've tried to make a concerted effort to maintain a level of competiveness and have quality at-bats," he said. "And not cash anything in. Everyone around the clubhouse is trying to do that."

NOTES: The Cubs announced Friday that executive vice president/general manager Jed Hoyer and senior vice president/scouting and player development Jason McLeod agreed to contract extensions through 2021. ... Also, Reds manager Bryan Price agreed to a one-year contract through next season with a team option for 2018. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon said his postseason rotation has been set for about a week, but he isn't ready to announce anything because the players haven't been told. ... Cubs OF Jorge Soler likely won't be available to play until Sunday. He has been dealing with right side discomfort.