CHICAGO -- It wasn't Matt Garza's day as the Chicago Cubs pitcher struggled through the middle innings giving up five earned runs in a 5-4 loss against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

The big hit was a three-run home run by Jay Bruce in the fourth inning, the first homer given up by Garza as a Cub.

"We had just scored a run and went ahead [1-0 in the third inning], and I gave those runs back," said Garza, who struck out seven in six innings, dropping to 1-4. "You just can't do that."

Once again, hitting with runners in scoring position was a problem for the Cubs. They were 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position on Friday.

"We had our chances," Aramis Ramirez said. "We had a lot of guys on base, but we hit line drives right at people. If we keep putting people on base we should be OK."

Ramirez, who has had problems hitting with runners in scoring position, came through with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Manager Mike Quade watched his team squander numerous opportunities to score on Reds start Edinson Volquez.

"There were so many keys [to the loss]," Quade said. "It was obviously a very frustrating day for everybody. It ain't good, but it's far from hopeless. If we just keep creating opportunities and hopefully someone eventually will get hot and will start driving some people in."

On the bright side, Garza had the first hit of his major league career, a single in the third inning off Volquez.

Marlon Byrd extended his hitting streak to eight games.