Chicago Cubs ride dominant Kyle Hendricks in Game 1 shutout victory

The Chicago Cubs got an outstanding start from Kyle Hendricks and a few clutch hits proved to be enough to snag a Game 1 win in the NLDS Friday night.

In the first few innings, it looked like it might be a long night for the Chicago Cubs’ bats. But they settled in against Stephen Strasburg and took advantage of a key error in the sixth to pick up a 3-0 win on the road.

The Washington right-hander was absolutely dominant int he early innings. He kept Chicago off the board until the top of the sixth inning, when the Cubs capitalized on Anthony Rendon‘s first error in months at third.

Javier Baez chopped a ball down the third-base line. Rendon fielded it, but couldn’t make the transfer to his throwing hand, allowing him to reach. Kyle Hendricks laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Baez for the first out. After Ben Zobrist flew out to center, Kris Bryant stepped in.

The reigning National League MVP delivered, dropping a ball into right field to score Baez and break the scoreless tie. He advanced to second on the throw, setting up another two-out clutch single from the other half of the Bryzzo Souvenir Company, Anthony Rizzo.

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But it wasn’t the offense that stole the show on Friday night. Everyone knew how good Strasburg had been down the stretch. On the night, he did not allow an earned run, striking out 10 over seven innings – but it was Hendricks who got the win.

The Professor holds class in D.C.

The soft-tossing right-hander got more comfortable with each passing inning, turning in seven frames of two-hit shutout ball to give the Cubs their first postseason win of the year. After a second-inning single by Michael A. Taylor, Washington failed to record a base hit – a testament to the effort of Hendricks and the Chicago pen.

Rizzo bounced back after two early strikeouts, doubling to the opposite field to score Bryant and add an insurance run. After that run-scoring knock, Joe Maddon handed things over to the relief corps.

Hendricks gave way to Carl Edwards Jr. in the eighth. He tossed a scoreless frame and handed things over to closer Wade Davis, who converted the save to close things out.

Offense does just enough

Chicago went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position in Game 1. Something to keep an eye on: the club struck out 13 times and drew just two walks. In the regular season, the Cubs ranked second in the NL in punchouts. Still, they eclipsed 90 wins for the third-straight season.

As a team, the Cubs tallied just five hits – with Rizzo and Bryant combining for three of them. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay added a double and Addison Russell also singled in the win.

Next: Unassuming Hendricks showing he's a true ace

What’s Next

Chicago looks to take a 2-0 edge in the NLDS on Saturday in Washington.

Veteran left-hander Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00) squares off against Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00) at 4:30 p.m. CT from Nationals Park.