CHICAGO _ After raising concerns during a 5-16 stretch before the All-Star break, the Cubs have answered with a display of resiliency.
Since the break, they have taken series from the American League-West leading Rangers and NL champion Mets.
In Wednesday's 6-2 downing of the Mets at Wrigley Field, Kyle Hendricks continued his remarkable ascent toward becoming one of the league's most reliable pitchers while Anthony Rizzo redeemed himself after a four-strikeout performance Tuesday with two home runs.
Defensively, center fielder Jason Heyward and second baseman Javier Baez supplemented their teammates' exceptional efforts with highlight-worthy plays.
That collection of achievements provided a cozy feeling entering Thursday's day off knowing their bid to reach the World Series was strengthened with the acquisition of left-handed Mike Montgomery from the Mariners after Wednesday's triumph.
"That's why you can't take yesterday to today," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
He was alluding to Tuesday's 2-1 loss in which the Cubs (57-37) were 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and couldn't score at least the tying run in the ninth after loading the bases with no outs.
Hendricks (9-6) set the tone by striking out the side in the first while lowering his ERA to 2.27 _ third lowest in the majors.
Hendricks, who didn't allow a run in 61/3 innings, possesses the second-lowest home ERA (1.36) and hasn't allowed a run in his last 192/3 innings at Wrigley Field.
And since June 19, Hendricks has a major-league low 0.72 ERA with a 5-0 record in his last six starts.
Baez was extremely happy that Hendricks worked quickly under hot conditions, and Baez was extremely alert as he reached over the tarp at near full speed to catch Juan Lagares' foul pop in the seventh.
"As long as I can walk, I can throw and run and stay in the game," said Baez, who sported a bruise on his left knee.
Hendricks, meanwhile, was appreciative of the defense that included Heyward's strong one-hop throw to home plate for catcher Miguel Montero to make a quick tag on James Loney for the final out of the fourth with the Cubs trying to protect a 3-0 lead.
"There's a comfort about him playing," said Maddon, a staunch defender of Heyward despite his .234 batting average. "His numbers are going to come back to where they normally are by the end of the season. His defense, and as a teammate, he's one of the best I've been around."
Rizzo's two crushed home runs off Bartolo Colon prompted some in the media to discuss his candidacy for NL Most Valuable Player honors with more than two months left in the season. The first baseman rebounded from his miserable Tuesday, accounting for the Cubs' final four runs.
His homers occurred after Addison Russell came through with a two-out, two-run single in the first that relieved tension after Tuesday's disappointing loss.
"Addi has been doing that all year," Rizzo said of Russell, who increased his RBI total to 55. "In those situations you have to slow the game down and realize the pitcher is in trouble, not you.
"That comes with experience. The more times you're in that position like were in (Tuesday), the better off we're going to be."
