CHICAGO _ After the Chicago Cubs lost three consecutive games _ scoring only six runs and collecting only three hits in 18 at-bats with runners in scoring position during that span _ manager David Ross didn't diminish the importance of Monday's game against the resurgent St. Louis Cardinals.
"It's a big game," Ross said. "But they all are."
Kyle Hendricks provided stability, pitching eight innings while setting a franchise record, as the Cubs earned a methodical 5-1 victory at breezy Wrigley Field and extended their lead to 2{ games in the National League Central.
Hendricks didn't allow a walk, setting a franchise record with his 38th consecutive start with two or fewer walks. The streak dates to April 7, 2019, and breaks the record set by Bill Hands from Sept. 11, 1967, to April 13, 1969.
More important, Hendricks is starting to regain the reliability the Cubs (24-18) need to hold off the Cardinals (17-16).
Hendricks (5-4) has allowed two runs in his last 14? innings. The Cardinals didn't score until lumbering Matt Wieters hit an RBI single with one out in the seventh. Second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Javier Baez teamed to turn an inning-ending double play that quickly ended the threat.
The Cubs scored all five runs without relying on a home run. Ian Happ reached base in his first four plate appearances, starting with a double in the first and scoring on a double-play grounder by Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo hit a sacrifice fly in the third, and Cameron Maybin and Jason Kipnis hit consecutive doubles in the fourth to make it 3-0.
Two Cardinals errors in the fifth set up a two-run single by Willson Contreras, who is 11 for his last 25 (.444).
Baez collected his third three-hit game of the season.
