The Cubs took a 1-0 lead on a leadoff home run by Zobrist, his 15th, in the second. Russell, 22, became the second-youngest Cubs player to hit 20 homers in a season (Ron Santo hit his 20th at 21 during the 1961 season).
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WASHINGTON – Hot-hitting Anthony Rendon belted a three-run homer and Daniel Murphy had three hits against his former team as Washington blitzed NY in the opener of a three-game series between the top teams in the National League East. Hendricks remained at 0-2 in six career starts against St. Louis when he settled for a no-decision August 13 despite giving up just two runs and five hits while recording a season high-tying 12 strikeouts in seven innings.Leake returned from a stint on the disabled list Wednesday and lasted 4 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh, yielding three runs and nine hits in a no-decision.
Hendricks (15-7) is the major league ERA leader at 2.03. His ERA in the second half is an especially sparkling 1.33. The victory drops the Cubs’ magic number to three and gives them a 17 game lead over the Cardinals in the Central Division.
Chicago made it 4-0 in fifth. The Tigers ultimately won the game, 4-2, and are now just one game behind the Orioles for the final AL wild-card spot.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz tips his cap to cheering fans after hitting a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in Boston. Aroldis Chapman came on to record the save.
PHILADELPHIA – Jeremy Hellickson took care of the Pittsburgh on the mound to spoil the return of ace Gerritt Cole, and Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak at Citizens Bank Park.
BRAVES 12, MARLINS 7 Nick Markakis doubled to drive in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, Tyler Flowers had four RBI and host Atlanta rallied to beat the Miami.
Hendricks is 15-7 with a 0.96 WHIP and 173 innings on his resume – and getting stronger the deeper the Cubs get into this World Series-or-bust season – but he will never be anyone’s idea of a self-promoter. Chaz Roe (2-0) pitched one inning of scoreless relief for the win.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Khris Davis and Marcus Semien belted three-run homers as Oakland routed Kansas City. Daniel Coulombe (3-1) earned the victory in relief of Ross Detwiler.
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CHICAGO – Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier each drove in a pair of runs and Avisail Garcia homered and matched a career high with four hits as Chicago beat up Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field. Mike Napoli homered off White Sox relief pitcher Blake Smith in the eighth for the Indians, who used seven pitchers in the loss. Leake, making his second start since a stint on the disabled list due to shingles, allowed six hits and four runs (three earned).
