CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 1-0 in 11 innings on Monday night. Here's a quick look at the game.
How it happened: Chris Denorfia's home run off Miguel Almonte to begin the bottom of the 11th gave the Cubs their 13th walk-off win in their final home game of the regular season. Starters Kyle Hendricks and Yordano Ventura matched each other scoreless inning after scoreless inning. In fact, Ventura was perfect through five before Jorge Soler singled to lead off the sixth inning. The Cubs managed only two hits total off of Ventura in seven innings. Hendricks was just as good, lasting six and giving up two hits and two walks while striking out nine.
What it means: The big takeaway comes from Hendricks' outing as he was as good as he's been all season in piling up a career high in strikeouts. After walking two in the first inning he settled in, getting better as the game progressed. His last couple of starts should leave a lasting impression for Joe Maddon as the Cubs head to the postseason. They're in search of starters and Hendricks is working his way into being one to potentially trust come October.
Final home game: The Cubs finished with a 49-32 record at Wrigley Field, increasing their win total at home by 8 over last season. They also drew 2,959,812 -- an increase of 307,699 from a year ago.
What's next: The Cubs hit the road for the final six games of the season beginning with a series in Cincinnati on Tuesday when Dan Haren (9-9, 3.83) takes on Josh Smith (0-2, 7.23).
