Cubs' Hendricks mows down D-backs

[September 18, 2018]  Javier Baez and Kris Bryant hit two-run homers, and Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks finished one out short of his fourth career complete game as the visiting Cubs posted a 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday in Phoenix.

Baez's homer, capping a three-run sixth inning for a 3-0 lead, was his 32nd of the season and gave him an NL-leading 105 RBIs. Bryant put the game out of reach with a two-run, opposite-field homer into the pool area in the eighth inning.

Hendricks (12-11) fell short of his third career shutout when A.J. Pollock homered to lead off the ninth inning. Hendricks gave up one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in 8 2/3 innings. He has a 1.76 ERA in 13 September starts the past three seasons.

Bryant, Albert Almora Jr. and Ben Zobrist had two hits apiece for the Cubs (88-62), who won for the fourth time in five games to maintain their 2 1/2-game lead in the National League Central over Milwaukee (86-65). The Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-0 on Monday.

Eduardo Escobar's dunked double to left field off the end of his bat in the fourth inning was the Diamondbacks' only hit until Pollock homered. Paul Goldschmidt singled with two outs in the ninth. Justin Wilson replaced Hendricks, and the game ended when Goldschmidt was caught trying to steal second.

Third-place Arizona, which has lost eight of 10, dropped to five games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are also five games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL wild card.

Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin (11-6) gave up two hits over five scoreless innings before the Cubs broke the scoreless tie in the sixth, benefitting from an overturned call on a replay review.

Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Almora and Bryant singled to put runners on the corners before Anthony Rizzo grounded into an apparent double play as Almora scored. Rizzo was demonstrably safe on the replay, and the call was overturned, putting him on first base.

Baez homered two pitches later for a 3-0 lead.

Corbin wound up allowing three runs on five hits in six innings. He had seven strikeouts and one walk.

Almora singled to open the eighth inning off Randall Delgado before Bryant hit his 12th homer.

Hendricks retired the first 10 batters he faced before Escobar's double with one out in the fourth inning.

--Field Level Media

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