Friday marked the beginning of a stretch where the Reds play the National League Central-leading Cubs in six of the next nine games. Call it their first big test of this season, a chance to see where they stand against one of baseball's best offenses.

Hoerner recorded the first hit off Greene in the third with a softly hit double to left, but Greene retired the next batter and struck out Ian Happ to end the inning. Greene averaged 100 mph on his 48 four-seam fastballs and looked sharp until the two walks in the fourth.

The Cincinnati Reds plan to start their ace fresh off a 15-day IL stint in their first matchup of the year against the division-leading Chicago Cubs.