CHICAGO -- Despite consecutive losses earlier in the week ahead of the Trade Deadline, the Reds have taken two straight following an 8-2 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field and look like a team going for a playoff push over the last two months of the season.

“​​It's clear our players know what we're playing for,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We continue to believe in what we're doing. I would consider it a healthy urgency. I feel like we've played that way all year, so nothing needs to change. Obviously, the situations you're in, it is going to change, but for the most part you try to stay consistent. And really, nothing needs to change because we've had that all year. So that's a good thing.”

Joey Votto and Jesse Winker continued to lead the charge on offense. Votto homered in the top of the second -- tying the franchise record by homering in his fifth consecutive game -- and added a two-run shot in the ninth, while Winker added two doubles, a run scored and an RBI off Chicago starter Zach Davies.

Both sluggers have stepped up their games since Nick Castellanos went on the injured list Friday with a microfracture of his right wrist. Votto has clubbed seven homers over his last five games (including an active streak of back-to-back multihomer outings), while Winker is hitting .400 in his past nine contests.

Though there isn’t a set date for Castellanos’ return from the injured list, when he does get back on the field, he’ll be bringing his Major League-leading .329 batting average to bolster what’s already a potent middle of the order.

“That's what a team is all about,” Bell said of Votto and Winker carrying the load. “We've had to do that a lot this year. Not that we're any different from other teams, but we've had our share of challenges and injuries. There's two ways to approach it, I think, and that's to dwell on it or just continue to do your part and believe that our team is good enough to overcome that.”

The Reds have lacked top of the line rotation production, but Tyler Mahle’s outing showed they don’t have to go on a deep dive for starting pitching. Mahle allowed the Cubs to put runners on base in each of the first four innings, but he got the necessary outs -- including an over-the-shoulder grab by Aristides Aquino to end a bases-loaded jam in the first -- to pitch six scoreless innings.

Mahle’s performance marked Cincinnati’s third quality start in its last five games.

“I thought I was going to have to scratch and claw to get through five or maybe even four,” Mahle said. “And I mean, yeah, that was probably the grindiest game I’ve been a part of, and for it to end up going six innings -- forget about the no runs, but just go six innings -- it was great.”

And while the relievers have been the most vulnerable group on the team all season, the Reds addressed the issues by making two trades over the last two days to bring fresh faces into the bullpen. Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson -- both acquired Tuesday night -- threw scoreless seventh and eighth innings Wednesday, respectively, and Lucas Sims and Tejay Antone should reinforce the ‘pen in the coming weeks.

“It’s a huge boost, especially [getting] guys like the ones we acquired. Two of them went out today and did an amazing job,” Mahle said of the newest additions to the team. “It’s a huge boost, and I think the clubhouse is great right now.”

With the win, Cincinnati moved to 53-49 on the year, seven games behind Milwaukee in the National League Central and five back of San Diego for the second NL Wild Card spot. Much crazier things have happened than a team that far back grinding its way into the playoffs, and the Reds’ moves have proven they’re a club intent on going for it.

“This is the time of the year where we have to stack as many wins as possible,” Votto said. “Coming back after that first tough loss [in Monday’s series opener] is good. We have to finish the series tomorrow, compete well tomorrow, and that’s what we’ve got our sights set on.”