Jay Bruce hit a walk-off two-run homer in the 11th inning to lift the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-6 victory and clinch a series win over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

Brandon Phillips and Chris Heisey hit solo homers for the Reds, who have won three straight to pull back within two games of .500 at 74-76. Cincinnati is attempting to put back-to-back winning seasons together for the first time since 1999-2000.

The Cubs brought in lefthander James Russell (1-6) to face a pair of lefty batters leading off the 11th. The plan backfired when Joey Votto doubled and Bruce followed by driving the first pitch he saw deep into the right-field seats for his 31st homer.

Nick Masset (3-5) picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief.

The Reds took a 6-4 lead into the ninth, but Francisco Cordero could not hold the edge. Tony Campana led off and singled after a 12-pitch at-bat. Alfonso Soriano doubled him home and moved up on a flyout before scoring on Darwin Barney’s single to center.