Arrieta keeps dominant streak going, Cubs beat Braves, 4

Pierzynski doubled to right center.

Jon Lester carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning Saturday night and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0.

In the sixth inning, with Johnson up to bat, Schwarber committed a catcher’s interference and Johnson was awarded first base. Atlanta ranks 22nd in scoring (3.90 rpg), 8th in hitting (.256) and 30th in homers (57), while on the mound they are 21st in ERA (4.02) and 27th in WHIP (1.37).

“The stuff is there”, Strop said. “And that’s what I’ve been able to do consistently over a pretty good stretch of the season”.

When Miller struck out Arrieta with bases loaded for the second out of the second, it seemed Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s strategy of batting the pitcher eighth might backfire. “It wasn’t like I was thinking or even saying to myself, ‘My God, this guy’s got a no-hitter going”. “So in the meantime, as you’re planning or plotting, get him some work out there”. He also had a throwing error.

“This is definitely the way we thought he could be”, Maddon said. “I’m not going to have any doubts in my head that I can do it”. It’s part of the game. “Other than that, and other than the homer, it felt good”.

The left-hander pitched well for the Cubs in the first-half of the 2015 campaign, as he had a 3.59 ERA in 110.1 innings. This time, he’s back and will have at least a share of the starting job at catcher.

Schwarber, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, was named the MVP of the All-Futures Game on Sunday.

Earlier this season, Lester took a no-hit bid into the seventh against St. Louis before giving up a one-out hit. Bryant would stay at third base for now, and with Torres probably two-ish years away, Chicago can proceed with Castro at short and Russell at second, unless Baez wrangles in his whiff issue and presents them with an unexpectedly pleasant dilemma of where to use him.

Hendricks, who allowed two runs, one earned, in 5 2/3 innings, said Schwarber was “awesome” and “very mature for a 22-year-old kid”.

They had taken advantage of a Cubs mistake, after the Cubs failed to capitalize on a golden scoring opportunity in the top of the first. Anthony Rizzo once against came through with two outs as he singled to center to drive home Bryant making it 4-0. He allowed two hits, one walk and struck out seven.

DETROIT – Chris Tillman tossed eight scoreless innings, retiring the last 23 batters he faced, and All-Star Manny Machado homered to lead Baltimore over Detroit at Comerica Park. Arodys Vizcaino (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth, and Jim Johnson earned his sixth save with three straight outs in the ninth. The 37-year-old joins a Braves team that was looking for veteran bullpen help following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by closer Jason Grilli. He gave up four hits over six innings while striking out eight and walking four.

Pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes was called safe at first in the fifth before the call was overturned following a review that lasted only 40 seconds.

Cubs: Montero is expected to be out longer than two weeks with a left thumb sprain.

Braves: 1B Freddie Freeman recently had two cortisone shots to remove fluid and reduce pain in his right wrist. Richard is 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA and 16 strikeouts in his career against the Reds. The 23-year-old walked four and gave up two runs over six innings in a 2-0 loss at Miami on July 9, his seventh quality start in 12 starts.