Cubs SP Dan Haren sparkles in Tuesday defeat of Reds

Cubs starting pitcher Dan Haren (10-9) blanked the Reds over 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 victory Tuesday, surrendering only three hits and striking out six.

Haren turned in his second quality start of September, two appearances in which he blanked opposing batters over at least seven innings. He also has now stayed away from his Achilles' heel, the long ball, in three out of his last four trips to the mound.

He has closed out the regular season with his best month to date, but it remains to be seen what role he will have in the Cubs' playoff plans.