Cubs Recap: Kyle Hendricks outdueled by Peavy in 4-2 loss to Giants

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Hnedricks unable to keep winning streak alive

With fans from across the country watching live on ESPN, Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs were unable to extend their winning streak to seven games after falling to Jake Peavy and the San Francisco Giants by the final score of 4-2.

Things started off rocky for Peavy and this Giants defense when lead-off hitter Kyle Schwarber popped a pitch up between the pitcher’s mound and home plate that ended up landing safely on the grass.

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Both Peavy and catcher Buster Posey were moving in to make a play, but miscommunication between the two resulted in them bumping into each other and moving away from the ball. Schwarber ended up at second with a double with Starlin Castro due up behind him.

Shortly after Castro grounded out to third baseman Matt Duffy, Chris Coghlan worked a six-pitch walk with one out in the inning. Anthony Rizzo advanced both men on a routine ground ball to first baseman Brandon Belt who tossed it over to Peavy who was covering first for the second out.

The Cubs (73-52) would go up 2-0 on the Giants (67-59) on a two-run RBI single by Kris Bryant. Bryant attempted to leg out second base on the play but was thrown out by Belt.

Hendricks (6-6, 4.11 ERA) entered the bottom half of the first with an early lead only to let it slip away within a matter of minutes. Outfielder Nori Aoki hammered the second pitch of the at-bat to right field for a solo home run – his fifth of the season which really set the tone for this lineup during the opening frame.

San Francisco tied the game on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice by shortstop Addison Russell and wouldn’t score again until the bottom half of the sixth.

Posey – who allowed a routine pop-fly to go untouched in the first – gave his team the lead with an RBI double to right field, scoring Belt. Moments later, Posey was rounding his way around third and crossed home plate to give the Giants a two-run lead on their second RBI double of the inning – this time off the bat of Kelby Tomlinson.

Peavy (4-6, 4.21 ERA) exited the game in the seventh having worked 6 1/3 frames, but skipper Bruce Bochy turned to the bullpen with runners on second and third with no outs.

He held the Cubs to two earned runs on five hits with three walks and as many strikeouts. His bullpen worked 2 2/3 perfect innings to help his cause and now only trail Chicago by 6.5 games for the second N.L. Wild Card spot.