CHICAGO — Cody Bellinger hit a two-run double and Dansby Swanson homered to lift the Cubs over the Tigers, 3-1, on Tuesday night.
Bellinger went 2-for-4 to lead Chicago. Javier Assad (6-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Cubs, allowing just one run on six hits and striking out seven.
''I thought it was Javy's best start in a while, maybe since coming off the injured list,'' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. ''Getting ahead of hitters more consistently, more execution, fewer bad misses. Curveball to left handers got him some strikeouts tonight. The two-seamer got some strikeouts tonight. Multiple pitches (were) working, and I think that's what led to the good outing.''
Tyson Miller, Drew Smyly and Porter Hodge threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, each allowing a hit, to close the game. Hodge earned his second save.
Detroit fell despite strong performances at the plate by Dillon Dingler and Spencer Torkelson. Dingler hit in the Tigers' lone run with an RBI single and added a triple. Torkelson was 4-for-4.
Tigers reliever Bryan Sammons (0-1) took the loss with three runs scored on four hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Chicago's offense was mostly stagnant for the first four innings. With two runners on base, Bellinger doubled in the fifth to put the Cubs ahead 2-1. It was a similar scenario to Bellinger's previous at-bat in the third, when he grounded out with runners on first and second.
''Obviously, I was pretty disappointed I wasn't able to get the job done,'' Bellinger said regarding his first attempt at batting in a run. ''I felt decent that at-bat and said I just wanted to make the adjustment. Same situation, man on first and second with one out, so stay within my approach. (Ian) Happ and (Michael Busch) Buschy did a great job of getting on again, so I tried to get the job done.''