Cubs Beat Brewers 1-0, Stay In Running To Host NL Wild Card
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kyle Hendricks allowed one hit and struck out eight in six innings, and the Chicago Cubs kept alive their hopes to host to the NL wild card game with a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.
Chicago won its seventh straight game behind a stellar effort from Hendricks (8-7). He held Milwaukee without a baserunner until Martin Maldonado singled with one out in the sixth.
Maldonado grounded into a double play two innings later that allowed reliever Fernando Rodney to escape a first-and-third jam with one out.
Hector Rondon tossed a scoreless ninth for his 30th save.
The Cubs will face Pittsburgh in the wild card matchup on Wednesday. The Pirates lost 3-1 to Cincinnati on Saturday, leaving them one game ahead of the Cubs, who hold the tiebreaker.
Addison Russell drove in the game's only run off Tyler Wagner (0-2), singling home Chris Coughlan from third in the second inning. The bevy of visiting Chicago fans cheered, making Miller Park feel like Wrigley Field North for another night.
They watched Hendricks rely on a sinker and changeup to baffle the Brewers. Counting Saturday's start, Hendricks will enter the postseason having thrown 12 straight shutout innings.
A September call-up from Double-A Biloxi, Wagner nearly matched scoreless frames with Hendricks. Wagner worked out of trouble to hold Chicago's potent lineup to seven hits over six innings.
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