CHICAGO – Trying to avoid a 100-loss season and looking for any glimpse of encouragement for the future, the Cubs got a strong performance from a pitcher they just picked up on waivers.

Jason Berken threw six shutout innings, allowing two hits while facing a Cincinnati Reds lineup resting most of its regulars Thursday. The strong effort was lost, however, when reliever Manny Corpas gave up five straight singles and a two-run double in the seventh, and the Reds clinched a playoff spot with a 5-3 win.

“I was able to get a couple of jams, great defense behind me, stayed on the same page the whole game,” Berken said.