Kyle Hendricks took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs three-hit the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 5-1 win Monday night to open their important three-game series.
Hendricks (12-11) struck out eight and walked one. A.J. Pollock hit a leadoff homer against Hendricks in the ninth and Paul Goldschmidt added a two-out single before Justin Wilson relieved and closed things out.
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Kyle Hendricks took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs three-hit the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 5-1 win Monday night to open their important three-game series.
Kris Bryant also homered, and the Cubs maintained their 2 1/2-game lead in the NL Central after second-place Milwaukee beat Cincinnati earlier Monday.
Anthony Rizzo hit into a fielder's choice to drive in Almora, and Baez followed with a line drive into the seats in left-center field to make it 3-0.
MOVING ON
Players from the NBA's Phoenix Suns were introduced before the game, as the Diamondbacks recognized their downtown neighbors whose season opens next month. Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo, De'Anthony Melton and Shaquille Harrison were in attendance, with Ariza throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Javier Baez homered in Chicago's three-run sixth inning that broke open what had been a pitcher's duel between Hendricks and Patrick Corbin (11-6).
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Justin Wilson, right, celebrates with catcher Willson Contreras after the final out of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. The Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
Kris Bryant also homered, and the Cubs maintained their 2 1/2-game lead in the NL Central after second-place Milwaukee beat Cincinnati earlier Monday.
The Diamondbacks led the NL West when the month began but opened the day four games behind first-place Colorado. Arizona has lost 8 of 10 to fall five games out of the second wild card.
The Cubs were struggling on offense, coming off a weekend series in which they scored only five runs in three games. They thrilled a largely pro-Chicago crowd at Chase Field in the sixth, when Albert Almora Jr. and Bryant led off with back-to-back singles. Bryant worked an eight-pitch at-bat against Corbin before his base hit that moved Almora to third base.
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant, right, celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Javier Baez (9) during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. The Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
Anthony Rizzo hit into a fielder's choice to drive in Almora, and Baez followed with a line drive into the seats in left-center field to make it 3-0.
The sea of blue-and-white-clad Cubs fans roared as Baez rounded the bases.
Bryant went opposite field for his 12th home run, a two-run shot in the eighth off reliever Randall Delgado.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) pauses on the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
MOVING ON
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras ran hard after making contact in his at-bats Monday, including on a deep fly to center in the fourth that was caught. Cubs manager Joe Maddon criticized Contreras for admiring a long fly ball that ended in a double during a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Maddon said Monday he thought the criticism had gotten out of hand.
SUNS OUT
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez connects for a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
Players from the NBA's Phoenix Suns were introduced before the game, as the Diamondbacks recognized their downtown neighbors whose season opens next month. Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo, De'Anthony Melton and Shaquille Harrison were in attendance, with Ariza throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: OF Kyle Schwarber and IF Tommy La Stella did not make the trip to Phoenix due to back injuries. ... RHP Brandon Morrow (forerarm) could return from the disabled list in the next few days. He's been out since mid-July. ... SS Addison Russell was checked by a trainer after stretching across the second base bag in an attempt to complete a double play in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar (14) slides safely into third base after tagging up on a fly ball out as Chicago Cubs third baseman David Bote, left, waits for a late throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
UP NEXT
Cubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (4-5) is set to face Arizona on Tuesday night, his career-high 17th start of the season.
Diamondbacks: Arizona announced before Monday's game that right-hander Matt Andriese is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs. Andriese (3-5) started four games for Tampa Bay before being traded to the Diamondbacks.
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