CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs won their second straight game with a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on Friday. Here’s a quick look at how it played out:
How it happened: The Cubs were hoping that starter Kyle Hendricks would get back on track Friday, but it was apparent early that wouldn’t be the case. The first two batters of the game, Nick Markakis and Cameron Maybin, each singled to put runners on the corners. Freddie Freeman followed with a ground ball to first base. Anthony Rizzo fielded the ball and threw home, but Markakis slid in ahead of the tag to make it 1-0 Braves.
Hendricks settled down and retired the next three batters to escape further damage in the first.
The Cubs tied the score in the bottom of the first as Chris Coghlan stroked a solo homer to left field on an 0-2 pitch from Atlanta starter Shelby Miller.
The Braves added a couple of runs in the third inning -- with an assist from the replay system -- to take a 3-1 lead. With a runner on first base and no outs, Andrelton Simmons hit a slow grounder to third base. Kris Bryant fielded the ball and threw to second, where Pedro Ciriaco was called out. But the Braves challenged and the play was overturned, putting runners on first and second with none out.
Hendricks retired the next two batters, but Markakis drilled a double to center field to plate both runners.
The Cubs didn’t manage much off Miller through the first four innings. The Braves gifted them a run in the fifth on a throwing error by Ciriaco on a potential double-play grounder. Chicago then grabbed a 4-3 lead with a pair of runs in the sixth. With one out, Rizzo walked and Bryant followed with a double down the left-field line to drive him in and tie the game. Miguel Montero then ripped a long double to right-center to score Bryant.
The Cubs added an insurance run in the seventh by taking advantage of another Atlanta error. With Russell on second and two out, pinch hitter Starlin Castro hit a grounder to shortstop that was booted by the usually slick-fielding Simmons. Rizzo took advantage by singling off lefty Andrew McKirahan to make it 5-3.
Jason Motte (8-1) pitched a scoreless sixth to get the win. Miller (5-10) took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) in 6 1/3 innings.
What it means: The Cubs won their second straight against a below-.500 team at home, like they’re supposed to, but Hendricks’ struggles on the mound have to be a concern. He allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings, resulting in another long day for the bullpen.
Hendricks lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his previous start against the Chicago White Sox, giving up five runs. In the start before that, he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before the game he wanted to see Hendricks throw more strikes and get ground balls. The right-hander did throw more strikes (he walked only one), but allowed as many ropes as grounders.
What’s next: The third game of the four-game series will be a 3:05 p.m. start on Saturday with Cubs right-hander Dan Haren (8-8. 3.63 ERA) taking on Atlanta righty Williams Perez (4-4, 4.34).
