CHICAGO _ Kyle Hendricks pitched eight innings of five-hit ball, but his effort was wasted as the Marlins rallied for a tying run in the top of the ninth inning off a patchwork bullpen to force a 2-2 tie at Wrigley Field.
Fortunately for the Cubs, Jason Heyward hit a home run off left-hander Jose Quijada on a 1-2 count to open the 11th for a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. It was the Cubs' ninth win in their last 10 games and allowed them to maintain their half-game lead in the National League Central.
Hendricks needed only 96 pitches, including six in the eighth. But he was lifted for pinch-hitter Albert Almora Jr. in the bottom of the eighth.
The Cubs lost Pedro Strop indefinitely due to a left hamstring strain, causing manager Joe Maddon to opt for a committee of relievers. Left-hander Kyle Ryan started the ninth but allowed a single to Neil Walker.
Steve Cishek replaced Ryan but allowed a hit and wild pitch that moved pinch-runner Isaac Galloway to third. Miguel Rojas followed with a grounder to score the tying run and deprive Hendricks of a well-deserved victory.
The Cubs caught a break in the top of the 10th after Rosell Herrera led off with a single. Jon Berti popped a bunt to first base, where Anthony Rizzo let the ball fall before retrieving it and tagging first.
Herrera broke toward second after Rizzo ran toward first instead of staying on the bag. Rizzo quickly fired to shortstop Javier Baez, who tagged Herrera in a rundown to complete a double play.
Addison Russell returned to the Cubs' lineup for the first time since Sept. 19 but went 0 for 3. Russell completed a 40-game suspension last week and was promoted to take the roster spot of Ben Zobrist, who was granted his wish to be placed on administrative leave to address a family matter.
The start of the game was moved up by 30 minutes because inclement weather was forecast for later in the evening.
Hendricks, pitching on four days' rest for the first time this season, committed a throwing error that led to a two-out RBI single by Starlin Castro in the first. But Hendricks retired the next eight batters and was aided later by two double plays.
Hendricks allowed a double to Walker with one out in the sixth but induced Jorge Alfaro to ground to Russell at second and struck out Castro on an 80-mph change-up.
Hendricks hasn't allowed an earned run or a walk in his last 17 innings.
The Cubs overcame a 1-0 deficit in the fourth off Jose Urena. Kris Bryant drew a walk to extend his streak of reaching base safely to 18 consecutive games. Rizzo and Baez each hit singles to tie the game, and Rizzo scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
