Hendricks goes 8 innings, Cubs beat Cardinals 5-1

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks went eight innings, and the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs beat the second-place St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Monday.

The Cubs got just the sort of start they needed from Hendricks and closed out the five-game series on a winning note after losing three straight. They lead their longtime rivals by 2 1/2 games.

Hendricks (5-4) gave up a run and seven hits in his second straight win. He also struck out four and walked none in his 38th consecutive start with two walks or less — the most by a Cubs pitcher since at least 1901.

Javier Báez had three singles and scored a run, helping the Cubs earn a split of the 10-game season series against the Cardinals. Jason Kipnis had two hits and drove in a run. Willson Contreras made it 5-0 with a two-run single against Johan Oviedo in the fifth.

Oviedo (0-2) went 4 2/3 innings in his fourth major league start, allowing three earned runs and eight hits.

Catcher Yadier Molina exited in the sixth with a bruised left elbow. Matt Wieters replaced the nine-time All-Star and drove in St. Louis’ lone run with a seventh-inning single. But the Cardinals came up short after matching a season high with three straight wins.

CUBS CLAIM HAMILTON

The Cubs claimed outfielder Billy Hamilton off waivers from the New York Mets.

A career .241 hitter with 302 steals over eight seasons with Cincinnati (2013-18), Kansas City (2019), Atlanta (2019) and New York (2020), Hamilton was 1 for 22 before the Mets designated him for assignment on Friday.

The Cubs also added infielder Ildemaro Vargas to the active roster and designated left-hander Matt Dermody for assignment.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals: OF Austin Dean is available to be recalled from the team's alternate site if needed, manager Mike Shildt said. Dean tested positive...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Hendricks-goes-8-innings-Cubs-beat-Cardinals-5-1-15548637.php