|
 Logan Watkins and Arismendy Alcantara each added an RBI single as
the Cubs improved to 2-2 on their six-game homestand. Valbuena
finished with two hits and has 10 in his last six contests.
Nelson Cruz belted his major league-leading and career-high 34th
homer for Baltimore, which had won four straight and 12 of of its
previous 16 contests. The Orioles saw their lead in the American
League East dip to eight games over New York.
Arrieta (7-4), who began his career in Baltimore before being
shuffled to Chicago last season, retired his first 13 batters en
route to recording just his second win in nine turns. The
28-year-old's lone misstep came in the seventh on Cruz's third homer
in four games, but allowed just that one run before Hector Rondon
retired the side in the ninth for his 20th save.
Valbuena opened the scoring with two out in the fourth inning by
depositing an 0-2 fastball from Kevin Gausman (7-5) over the wall in
right-center field for his 12th homer - and second in three games.
Watkins, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, singled to
center later in the frame before Baez extended the lead with two out
in the fifth by sending a 3-2 forkball onto Waveland Avenue.
[to top of second column] |
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago RF Ryan Sweeney threw out Baltimore's Chris Davis
at the plate to end the fifth inning and preserve his team's 2-0 lead.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter argued that Cubs C John Baker had blocked
the plate, but the umpires reviewed the play and upheld the call. ...
Gausman permitted three runs on six hits in five innings. ... Baltimore
3B Manny Machado, who was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list
Wednesday, will reportedly undergo season-ending surgery on his right
knee within the next week.
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