CINCINNATI — When the Chicago Cubs signed lefty Shota Imanaga before last season, they knew his pitch mix and track record in Japan would likely yield home runs.

His uptick in home runs allowed in Year 2 has Imanaga searching for ways to better limit the long ball with the postseason — and likely his first playoff outing — less than two weeks away. In his penultimate regular-season start, the Cincinnati Reds slugged three solo home runs off Imanaga, who gave up four runs over five innings in the Cubs’ 7-4 loss Friday at Great American Ball Park. The Reds tagged reliever Porter Hodge for three runs in the sixth to break the tie.

Despite the loss, the Cubs magic number to clinch the top National League wild-card spot dropped to four thanks to the White Sox beating the Padres . The Cubs

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