Bryant homers, knocks in 3 as surging Cubs beat Giants 8

“This is a tough group and we’ll find a way to come out of this”.

However, that lead was short-lived as San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt clubbed a two-run shot into the basket in right to make it a 2-1 Giants advantage.

“I did not want to let them back into that game right there”, Maddon said.

“It’s a nice compliment”, he said. The lack of time to prepare and get stretched out was detrimental, as he has been pitching out of the bullpen. The right-hander, who is tied for third in the NL in wins (12) and sixth in ERA (2.50), usually does not need much run support but might expect it from an offense that has scored at least four runs in a season-high nine straight games.

The Giants managed a run off Lester in the second inning when Posey hit a severely wind-impacted double and scored on Brandon Crawford’s single.

Lester’s former Boston connection with Cubs executive Theo Epstein, plus an aversion to playing three time zones from his home, influenced his decision to take the Cubs’ six-year, $155 million offer when the Giants were offering more and the Dodgers gave him a blank offer sheet.

PIRATES 6, DODGERS 5 Francisco Liriano hit the first home run of his 10-year career and Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 3 as host Pittsburgh held on to beat Los Angeles. Rondon came in with a runner on second and retired the final two batters before working the ninth for his second save in as many games.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Mike Leake was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

The Cubs will counter with Kyle Hendricks who is 5-5 with a 3.67 ERA on the season. His last contest against the Giants didn’t fare well, giving up four earned off seven hits. He is not sure if he will remain in the rotation.

“I’d rather have him for nine completely healthy starts than maybe one or two where he’s not 100 percent, ” Bochy said. Bochy said he plans to rest Pagan on Sunday. Russell’s single with one out drove in Montero, and center fielder Dexter Fowler tripled to the right-field corner to drive in Russell.

San Francisco is 16-6 in its last 22 outings while Chicago is 7-1 in its last eight outings.The key in Game 2 of this crucial four-game set will be Lester.

Affeldt walked Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant with two out and departed for right-hander Yusmeiro Petit. David Ross drove him in with a single to boost the lead to five before Lester – the inning’s ninth batter – struck out.

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is trying to stay positive after he was removed from the starting lineup.

Montero’s run-scoring single was his first hit since he came off the disabled list Friday after being sidelined for nearly a month by a sprained left thumb. Kyle Schwarber has been immortal, showing his ability to play LF and catch while producing results – even if only hard hit outs – in every plate appearance.