Cubs win 11th straight, Szczur hits 2 HRs to rout Cardinals

So today felt nearly completely without negative drama and ended up as a showcase for the Cubs backup to the backup outfielder, Matt Szczur.

An X-ray showed the fracture.

DIAMONDBACKS 9, METS 0 Last-place Arizona rattled Noah Syndergaard with four more stolen bases, then broke open the game in a six-run sixth inning that included Chris Owings’ bases-loaded triple and rolled to a rout of host NY that completed a three-game sweep. The Rockies had lost three in row to the AL West-leading Rangers, who had scored the deciding runs in the eighth inning or later in each of those victories.

“I would compare it to when you’re a baby and you’re in your mother’s belly and you’re listening to the heartbeat or whatever”, Hammel said. “For us, we just put our nose down whether we’re in first place, whether we’re not, whether we’re somewhere in the middle”.

After going 1-for-3 with a walk in the game, Holliday is hitting.242 with a.318 on-base percentage, a.450 slugging percentage, 19 homers and 60 RBIs in 107 games this year. Kris Bryant struck out before Rizzo, who crowds the plate, took a 3-1 pitch inside to give the Cubs their longest winning streak since 12 straight in 2001.

Pinch-hitters Willson Contreras and Jorge Soler led off with singles against the lefty Duke (2-1) and Dexter Fowler walked to load the bases with one out. It was an 85 miles per hour cutter that Bryant scorched to left field to score Szczur, but it had been preceded by a fastball that didn’t quite touch 89, so Bryant was ready for it.

Both closers handled the ninth with the game on the line, Aroldis Chapman working a three-pitch inning and Seung Hwan Oh striking out the side.

MINNEAPOLIS – Jose Altuve had four hits and Carlos Correa belted a three-run homer to lead Houston to victory in the first game of a doubleheader. In fact, with injuries, underperformance and just the general randomness of the game, they knew it would take more than the original 25 out of Mesa, Ariz. It was his first double since May 24 at St. Louis. “For our team to fuel the competitiveness of the group is really important, and we’ve done a really good job of that”. Holliday was placed on the 15-day disabled list but the Cardinals did not immediately make a corresponding move. “That not a bad thing”, he said. He has recorded quality starts in all 11 of his Wrigley Field appearances this season. The 2014 first-round pick will replace Michael Wacha (shoulder). “Some guys rise to that occasion, so I’m excited to watch him pitch”.

RHP Jake Arrieta (13-5, 2.59 ERA) will start Friday against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

“You want to sometimes throw them in there and see how they answer the call coming here in a tough environment”, Matheny said.