Cubs beat Indians 7-2 to match their best start since 1970

Kyle Hendricks pitched six strong innings in his first appearance against Cleveland since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and Anthony Rizzo homered, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-2 win over the Indians on Wednesday night to match their best start in 50 years.

Hendricks (3-1) didn't have much trouble with the slumping Indians, who came in batting a major league-worst .192. He allowed one run and seven hits and handled everyone in Cleveland's lineup but Franmil Reyes, who got three hits.

The Cubs are 12-3 in their first season under manager David Ross, matching the club's start after 15 games in 1970.

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning in a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Rizzo homered in the third off Carlos Carrasco (2-2), David Bote drove in two runs and Kris Bryant connected for a 430-foot shot as the Cubs swept the two-game interleague set.

Hendricks hadn't faced the Indians since Nov. 2, 2016, when he started the dramatic finale as the Cubs beat the Indians in extra innings to clinch their first Series title since 1908. The right-hander is as efficient now as he was four years ago. He threw 65 of his 90 pitches for strikes without a walk.

Carrasco was pulled in the fifth after a shaky, seven-walk outing over 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander struggled with his control from the outset, but he was able to work around two, two-walk innings without giving up any runs.

Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, right, scores as Cleveland Indians catcher Sandy Leon can't hold onto the ball in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

He did allow a pair of singles to start the fifth before striking out Willson Contreras, who smashed his bat in the dirt near home plate and was immediately ejected. Reliever Oliver Perez came in gave up a sacrifice fly to Jason Heyward before Bote's two-out single made it 4-0.

It's been a tough few days for the Indians.

They're still sorting through the situation with starters Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac, who broke team rules and COVID-19 protocols when they left the team hotel in Chicago last weekend and risked exposure to the virus.

Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning in a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Manager Terry Francona did not say if the players have yet been tested. And as for their fractured relationship with teammates, Francona said that could take time to heal.

“I know that they’ve got some trust to earn back and they’re gonna have to earn that back,” he said. “I don’t know how easy that will be.”

SHORT STORIES

Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant can't make the catch on a ball hit by Cleveland Indians' Cesar Hernandez in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. Hernandez was safe at first base. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez followed eerily similar paths to stardom. Both were born in Puerto Rico, moved to Florida and were drafted one pick apart in 2011.

They're close friends and two of the game's best middle infielders. Just ask Jason Kipnis, who played with Lindor in Cleveland and is teammates with Báez.

“They’re both better at baseball than me,” he said. “I don’t know what’s in the water over there, but these guys’ natural ability to play this game is astonishing. "

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross, left, argues with home plate umpire Tim Timmons in the fifth inning in a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. Ross was arguing after Willson Contreras struck out. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cubs: OF Kyle Schwarber was scratched from the starting lineup with a bruised right knee suffered when he got hit with a pitch Tuesday. He struck out pinch-hitting in the ninth. ... Ross said feedback was positive on LHP José Quintana's simulated game. He cut his pitching hand while washing dishes at home last month. There is still no timetable for his return.

Indians: C Roberto Perez (shoulder) has been running and throwing at the team's alternate site in Lake County. Francona said Perez has not suffered any setbacks and the club could have him back soon.

Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez watches his RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

UP NEXT

Cubs: Open a 10-game, 11-day homestand on Thursday against Milwaukee with Yu Darvish (2-1) starting against Brewers left-hander Brett Anderson (0-1).

Indians: Following their second off day in four days, Cleveland opens a three-game series in Detroit on Friday. Aaron Civale (1-2) starts the opener against Iván Nova (1-0).

Chicago Cubs' David Bote watches a two-run single in the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cleveland Indians' Tyler Naquin fields a single hit by Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez (9) in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Chicago Cubs' David Bote (13) is tagged out by Cleveland Indians' Cesar Hernandez (7) in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)