Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks has no-hitter through 7 innings

The 26-year-old Hendricks took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before it was broken up in the Cubs’ 4-1 win against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Hazelbaker drove an 0-2 pitch into the right-field stands for his 12th home run.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks entered his Monday night start as the relatively anonymous National League leader in earned-run average.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, in St. Louis. “What are you going to do?” The Cubs (92-51) would clinch the division Wednesday if they beat the Cardinals in the final two games of the series.

Maddon was ejected, and Chapman came in. He dropped his MLB-leading ERA to 2.03 and improved to 15-7 in the process.

This story will be updated. It scored Baez, who reached on a throwing error by shortstop Gyorko. Chicago SS Addison Russell’s 20th homer Sunday night in Houston made him only the second player in franchise history to reach 20 in a season before his 23rd birthday.

The Cubs have been the class of the NL Central all season long and hold the best record in baseball heading into Monday night’s clash with the Cardinals and while the Cubs have more than enough wiggle room in the division lead you can be sure they would love to make a statement to the home side here with a dominating series. LF Matt Holliday took batting practice on the field for the first time since breaking his right thumb August 11 against the Cubs. Russell is 22. Cardinals RHP Seung Hwan Oh (groin) was unavailable during the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers, and it is not known when he will pitch again. He has started seven games against the Cubs and is 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA.