Bryant homer lifts Cubs to 2-1 win over Indians

The rookie, who had homered twice Sunday, lined a pitch from Cleveland reliever Zach McAllister (3-4) into the right field bleachers to give Chicago its fifth straight win and 21st victory in 26 games (see full recap). The offense scratched by on five hits with Anthony Rizzo tripling in Chris Coghlan before Kris Bryant slammed a two out walk off homer to win it. Jake Arrieta gets the series opening start against San Francisco for the second time in 2015.

“You want to be in that spot where you’re pitching against a guy who’s a really good pitcher and he’s throwing the ball well”, Kluber said. “That’s impressive. You gotta give our players and coaches a lot of credit for that”.

The Indians didn’t cash in, however.

Kluber retired 16 successive batters until Cubs catcher David Ross singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

“(Kluber) was good. He and Lester both”, Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“There was absolutely zero wiggle room and he just went toe to toe and pitched about as good as you can”.

The Indians have a talented club, have one of the best pitchers in the American League and are pretty solid on the road, but haven’t seemed to be able to put it all together this year.

Cubs left-handed starter Jon Lester had been one out away from a 1-0 shutout win but gave up a run-scoring single to Indians first baseman Carlos Santana in the top of the ninth.

Bryant then predictable got drenched in his postgame TV interview.

“The first part of this season, the cutter wasn’t there where it needed to be”, said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, a longtime Lester adversary during his years in Tampa Bay. In one of the most memorable scenes of a magical summer, Strop and his goofy gait strode alongside Bryant down the third-base line until both stepped into a sea of euphoria at home plate. We gotta get our prescriptions filled (another symptom of old age – getting to know your pharmacist, instead of, say, your bartender, on a first name basis). He kept the ball on the ground all day and the Cubs defense turned four double plays behind him. The Pirates starter tossed six scoreless innings in his latest outing, a 5-2 victory for Pittsburgh versus Miami.

Lester nearly matched Kluber through the first seven, facing only 22 Cleveland hitters. Kipnis pinch hit in that contest. Soler could be out up to a month.

Royals 8, Orioles 3 • Omar Infante led a seven-run charge in the sixth inning to support a strong start by Kris Medlen, helping host Kansas City beat Baltimore.

With Addison Russell nursing a groin pressure, Starlin Castro will get the beginning at shortstop and Tommy La Stella, who was referred to as up from Triple-A Iowa, begins at second base.

Following the makeup game against the Cubs, the Indians return home for a five-game homestand, two against the Brewers and three against the Angels. After having his worst start this season his last time out, Lester went 8 and 2/3 innings, allowing the tying run in the ninth.