MLB wrap: Kyle Hendricks leads Cubs to fourth straight win

Thomas Lott

MLB wrap: Kyle Hendricks leads Cubs to fourth straight win image

The Cubs have figured some things out and it's probably not a coincidence their new success has come with better starting pitching.

Kyle Hendricks continued that trend on Friday as he tossed seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts in a 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hendricks has now allowed a mere two earned runs in his last two starts spanning 12 innings while striking out 13. Outings like that are more than good enough to help a potent Cubs lineup get wins.

“If we just keep attacking and put them on their heels, we know what our lineup can do,” Hendricks told reporters after the game, via the Chicago Tribune.

But the 2016 National League ERA champ isn't the only man pitching well in Chicago.

The Cubs have allowed two or fewer runs in seven of their last 10 games while tallying four shutouts.

Chicago went 31 straight innings without allowing a single runner to score in their last four games, which not coincidentally, coincided with a four-game win streak.

The Cubs are still just 9-9 on the season, but after starting the year 1-6, they'll take that record through 18 games.

Studs of the Night

Pirates starter Jordan Lyles tossed six scoreless innings in a 4-1 win over the Giants. The former first-round pick of the Astros has given up one earned run this season in three starts spanning 17 innings.

This is what the White Sox were hoping they would get out of Carlos Rodon when they took him third overall in 2014. The former NC State Wolfpack pitcher tossed six innings and allowed just one run in a 7-3 win over the Tigers. He now has three quality starts on the season all in his last four games. He allowed four total runs in those starts.

Marlins starter Caleb Smith tossed six innings of one-run ball as well in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Justin Verlander tossed seven innings of one-run ball in a 7-2 win over the Rangers.

Duds of the Night

Max Muncy has done a good job of following up his breakout season with the Dodgers, but he wasn't great on Friday. He went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts in a 5-3 win over the Brewers.

Royals first baseman (on Friday) Whit Merrifield went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in a 6-2 loss to the Yankees.

Highlight

J.T. Realmuto makes throwing runners out look easy. It's not.

What's Next

Braves (9-9) at Indians (11-7), 4:10 p.m. ET — The Braves had to wait an extra day to get over a series sweep against the Diamondbacks as Friday's game was rained out, but as Ernie Banks used to say "Let's play two." The Braves will play a doubleheader with the Indians, but unfortunately they will catch Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. It's a rough day but there will be some good pitching to watch.

Thomas Lott