Chicago Cubs: Team makes it three-straight behind Mike Montgomery

Anthony Rizzo led off with another home run as the Chicago Cubs knocked off the San Diego Padres by a 4-0 final at Wrigley Field Tuesday night.

Another game, another loud at-bat out of the leadoff spot for Anthony Rizzo.

The Chicago Cubs got two home runs on the night and Rizzo (1-for-3) continued his leadoff home run surge, as the Cubs made it three-straight wins. It marked Rizzo’s third leadoff home run in a week.

Ian Happ mashed his ninth career big league homer in the eighth, putting the icing on the cake.

Starter Mike Montgomery pitched his best game in a Cubs uniform. He struck out four, walked two and allowed just three hits over six innings. It is his longest outing of the season and his first win of 2017.

Settling in

Montgomery came into the night with a 57.6 percent groundball rate. That was the theme in the early going, as he recorded 10 groundball outs through the first five innings. He started the game retiring the first seven batters he faced.

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Through three starts for Chicago, Montgomery has increased his starts by one inning and has not allowed more than two earned runs in any start.

The trio of Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm preserved the shutout.

Manufacturing runs

Kris Bryant, scuffling with the bat, still found ways to factor into the game. Hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, he promptly stole second base and then came around to score the game’s second run on an Addison Russell single.

Russell, cold most of the season, now has nine hits in his last 26 at-bats. Pinch-hitter Albert Almora doubled in the eighth to score Javier Baez.

Next: Breaking down the non-punishment of Anthony Rizzo

What’s next

Wednesday will conclude the season series between the teams as the Cubs battle the Padres. First pitch is 1:20 p.m. CT from Wrigley Field.

Right-hander Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.41 ERA) pitches opposite righty Miguel Diaz (1-1, 7.36 ERA).