Chicago Cubs: Heyward wins it in 11th with solo home run

The Chicago Cubs needed a RBI single from Kris Bryant to help take Kyle Hendricks off the hook for the loss. Then they got a solo home run from Jason Heyward to help keep them in first place no matter the outcome on Sunday.

The Chicago Cubs got a solid start from Kyle Hendricks, but he was in danger of taking the loss. Another fine start from the rotation was in danger of losing, if not for the bat of Kris Bryant in the seventh. The RBI single–one of Bryant’s three hits–knotted the game at one apiece and saved Hendricks.

The Cubs (55-48) were strikeout victims 17 times–and then suffered some tough luck when they did put it in play. Kyle Schwarber whiffed three times on the night, and his best hit was a rope to center that was caught by Lewis Brinson to end a Cubs rally. Hendricks pitched 5+ innings of one run ball but was in line for a loss until the single by Bryant tied the game.

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The Brewers (55-51) went a different route with their staff. After starter Junior Guerra had gone just three innings, Craig Counsell used six pitchers to try and get through the game. Things were looking good until the 10th when  Heyward took Jared Hughes deep for the go-ahead home run.

The Cubs then turned to Wade Davis who is still perfect on the season but has struggled as of late. After walking Orlando Arcia, Davis struck out Jonathan Villar to end the game. Davis is now 21 of 21 in save opportunities.

The Cubs and Brewers will play tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. in the series finale at Miller Park. John Lackey (7-9, 4.97) will face the red-hot Zach Davies (12-4, 4.45) as they close out the series.