Hendricks' Latest Gem Helps Cubs Complete Sweep Of A's
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Hendricks pitched into the eighth inning for his fifth win since June and the Chicago Cubs beat the Oakland Athletics, 3-1, on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler both homered off A's starter Sean Manaea (3-7). Bryant's home run was his 27th this season, one more than the two-time All-Star had in 2015 when he was the NL's rookie of the year.
The Cubs' seventh straight win improved them to a major league-best 69-41 and marked their 10th series sweep this season. That topped their mark from a year ago, and increased their lead in the NL Central to 11 1/2 games over St. Louis.
Hendricks (11-7) was dominant against an A's team that had dropped seven of eight going into the day. Chicago's right-hander allowed three hits over 7 1/3 innings, struck out four and retired 17 straight before Marcus Semien's one-out home run in the eighth.
Hendrick lowered his ERA to 2.17, second-lowest in the majors among qualifiers behind the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw
Pedro Strop retired two batters and Aroldis Champan pitched the ninth for his third save since arriving in a trade from the New York Yankees on July 25.
Bryant and Soler finished with two hits apiece for the Cubs. Bryant homered leading off the sixth while Soler — who homered in the series-opener Friday after being activated from the disabled list earlier in the day — hit his seventh home run this season leading off the seventh.
Anthony Rizzo added an RBI double in the eighth.
The A's had not scored in 19 consecutive innings before Semien hit his 23rd home of the year, a towering solo shot that ended Hendricks' day.
Menaea bounced back from a rough outing against the Angels but remained winless since June 29. The rookie left-hander allowed two runs over six-plus innings, struck out four and walked two.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Jorge Soler handled the DH duties in all three games against the A's but that will change when Chicago opens a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. Soler will be back in the outfield, most likely in left where he has started 34 games this season.
Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray was placed on the disabled list with a strained right forearm. It's the second stint on the DL for Gray, who was pulled from his start against the Cubs on Saturday after only five innings. ... Chris Smith, a right-handed reliever, was called up from Triple-A Nashville to replace Gray on the roster.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP John Lackey (8-7) pitches the opener against the Angels. Lackey has one win in his last two starts after a five-game losing streak.
Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7) faces the Orioles on Monday at the Coliseum. He has been Oakland's most consistent pitcher over the past two months, with six wins in his previous 12 starts.
(© 2016 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)