Hammel's 7 Scoreless Innings Lead Cubs Past Angels, 3-1
CHICAGO (AP) — Jason Hammel won his career-best fifth straight start, pitching four-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Angels, 3-1, on Wednesday night for their season-high ninth straight win.
The major league-leading Cubs matched their longest streak since Aug. 6-15 of last year and moved a season-best 30 games over .500 (71-41). They come into a four-game set against St. Louis at Wrigley Field with three straight series sweeps after consecutive victories over the Angels.
Hammel (12-5) struck out six, walked two and helped himself at the plate when he singled and scored in the fifth against Ricky Nolasco to make it 2-0.
Addison Russell made it 3-1 with a solo homer off JC Ramirez in the eighth.
Dexter Fowler chipped in with two hits, including an RBI double. Anthony Rizzo drove in a run with a single, and the Cubs won for the 12th time in 13 games.
The Angels, last in the AL West, matched a season high with their sixth straight loss. And with their next four games at AL Central leader Cleveland, the schedule doesn't get much easier.
Nolasco (4-9) was a tough-luck loser, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked one in his second start since the Angels acquired him in a trade from Minnesota on Aug. 1.
Chicago's Pedro Strop came on in the eighth and had to be helped off the field when he tried to make a play on Yunel Escobar's leadoff tapper down the third base line. Strop slid in front of third baseman Javier Baez and his left leg appeared to bend awkwardly.
Travis Wood then gave up a double to Kole Calhoun, putting runners on second and third. Albert Pujols drove in a run with a sharp grounder to second after Carl Edwards Jr. struck out Mike Trout, and Andrelton Simmons grounded out to end the rally.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save in five chances since the Cubs got him in a trade with the New York Yankees last month.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: RHP Garrett Richards, out for the season with a torn elbow ligament, was in good spirits after a pregame workout. He's scheduled to have an imaging test Monday to determine if he can start playing catch. Richards is trying to avoid Tommy John surgery. "I feel zero discomfort in my arm," he said. . C Geovany Soto (knee) started a day after he was activated off the DL.
Cubs: Reliever Hector Rondon (triceps) remained sidelined, though manager Joe Maddon expects him to be available in a few days.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (3-7, 5.27 ERA) makes his first start since July 1, and the Angels open a four-game series at AL Central leader Cleveland. RHP Corey Kluber (11-8, 3.22) starts for the Indians.
Cubs: LHP Jon Lester (12?4, 2.93) tries to win his third straight start and keep the Cubs' win streak going against RHP Carlos Martinez (10-7, 3.29) and the Cardinals.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.