AP Photo Chicago’s Jason Heyward watches his RBI-double during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Playing without Anthony Rizzo, the Chicago Cubs turned to Kyle Schwarber. And Nicholas Castellanos. And Alec Mills.

It seemed like everyone helped out.

Schwarber hit a three-run homer and made a diving catch in left field, and the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight victory.

Castellanos added a two-run double in the eighth inning as Chicago moved a season-high 14 games above .500. The Cubs have outscored opponents 59-18 during their streak.

“This is the time,” Castellanos said. “We’re facing adversity and we’ve got to stare it down. There’s a lot of guys in this room who’ve got to step up.”

The Cubs (82-68) pulled within a half-game of Washington for the top spot in the wild-card standings and stayed two games back of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which held off the Nationals for a 4-2 win.

Steve Cishek, Mills (1-0), Rowan Wick, Kyle Ryan and David Phelps combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of an ineffective Cole Hamels.

It was Mills’ first major league win in his 17th big league appearance.

“Every time he shows up, he does something good for us,” manager Joe Maddon said, “and he does it in a very quiet, professional manner. He’s outstanding.”

It was Chicago’s first game since Rizzo had an MRI that showed the big first baseman had a moderate lateral right ankle sprain sustained during Sunday’s 16-6 victory over Pittsburgh.

Rizzo will wear a walking boot for five to seven days, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the season.

“We’re not shutting any doors, but we’re realistic that this is a legitimate injury that under ideal circumstances would take some time to heal,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said.

Cincinnati (70-81) had won three of four, but the Reds went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.

“We had opportunities early and didn’t get enough out of those,” manager David Bell said. “It turns out that was kind of the difference.”

Kevin Gausman (3-9) pitched two innings in his first start since the Reds claimed him off waivers from the Braves last month. He got into trouble in the first when Chicago put runners on first and second with one out. Schwarber then connected for the second straight day, driving a 2-2 pitch deep to center.

“I kind of put my team in a hole right there,” Gausman said.

It was No. 37 for Schwarber, the highest total for a lefty batter for the Cubs since Hall of Famer Billy Williams hit 37 in 1972.