|
 Hendricks (2-2) allowed two hits in six shutout innings as the
Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 5-2 in the opener of a
four-game series between National League division leaders.
"He was really good," Maddon said. "He was really sharp, really
sharp with everything. He pitches primarily with his fastball and
his sinker and was locating it well. He really pounded the zone and
didn't give them a lot of good looks."
Hendricks struck out four and walked two as he stymied the Nationals
in an 87-pitch outing to secure his first victory since April 9.
The Nationals managed three hits against six Cubs pitchers.
"It was the worst overall game we've played in a while," Washington
manager Dusty Baker said. "He (Hendricks) had us eating out of his
hand. He was throwing strikes (and) threw very few balls. He threw
very few balls over the heart of the plate. He threw a good game."
 Ben Zobrist provided critical Cubs offensive support, going 2-for-4
with a home run and four RBIs in his most productive night as a Cub.
"Overall offensively it was Zo's night," Maddon said. "A (two RBI)
single to right and then the homer. It was his night and he was
fabulous."
Nationals starter Joe Ross (3-1) was pulled with two out in the
seventh after allowing a leadoff single to Ryan Kalish and walking
pinch hitter Jorge Soler with two gone.
Ross allowed two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings, walked two
and struck out nine, and was satisfied with the overall effort.
"It was good," he said. "I just let them get those two in the
fourth. Made a couple of bad, not great pitches and they
capitalized. I wish I could go back to the fourth and start over."
In the eighth, Cubs reliever Pedro Strop, the fourth pitcher of the
night, hit one batter and walked another with none out. He struck
out out Michael Taylor and got Anthony Rendon to ground into an
inning-ending double play to work out of the jam.
Zobrist's third home run of the season in the eighth came with
two-out off National's left-hander Felipe Rivero and scored Tommy La
Stella. Addison Russell followed with a two-out double to left,
driving in Kalish.
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Cubs left-hander Travis Wood gave up a two-run homer to Jayson Werth
with two out in the ninth to trim the final margin.
La Stella was 3-for-4 with two runs scored as the Cubs (21-6)
captured their fourth straight victory. The Nationals (19-9) lost
for the second time in seven games.
Chicago opened a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning after loading the
bases with no outs.
Zobrist's single to right drove in La Stella from third and Kris
Bryant from second. Anthony Rizzo, intentionally walked ahead of
Zobrist's at-bat to load the bases, was retired at third on a
pinpoint throw from Bryce Harper to Rendon.
Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler was ejected in the third inning
after arguing a third strike call with plate umpire Vic Carapazza.
Jason Heyward, who had not played since May 1 because of a sore
wrist, replaced Fowler in center and in the leadoff spot.
NOTES: Chicago was the center of baseball universe Thursday with
four first-place teams playing. Along with the Nationals at Cubs,
the American League East-leading Red Sox were at the White Sox, who
were first in the AL Central. ... Washington opened the third leg of
a three-city tour with the first of four games at Wrigley Field. The
Nationals previously swept the Cardinals and took two of three from
the Royals. ... Washington sends RHP Max Scherzer (3-1, 3.35 ERA)
against Cubs RHP John Lackey (3-1, 4.32) on Friday. ... Chicago put
RHP Neil Ramirez (0-0, 4.50) on the bereavement list and recalled
RHP Spencer Patton from Triple-A Iowa. Patton made 10 scoreless
appearances for Iowa, posting four saves. ... The Cubs have won
seven of nine series this season. They also have yet to lose
consecutive games, the deepest they have gone in a season without
back-to-back losses since 1907.
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