Kyle Hendricks, Cubs remain in control

Kyle Hendricks hit his spots and kept hitters off balance. It was a command performance at a big moment for the Chicago Cubs.

Hendricks went eight innings, and the NL Central-leading Cubs beat the second-place St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Monday in Chicago.

Led by Hendricks and a 10-hit attack, Chicago closed out the five-game series on a winning note after losing three in a row. The Cubs lead the defending division champions by 2½ games, although Chicago has played nine more games than St. Louis.

Hendricks (5-4) gave up a run and seven hits in his second consecutive victory. He also struck out four and walked none in his 38th consecutive start with two walks or less — the most by a Cubs pitcher since at least 1901.

"I didn't know that, to be honest with you," Hendricks said. "It's something I'm shooting for, I guess. It's a good result to have, to know that what I'm going out there and trying to do is coming across."

Javier Baez had three singles and scored a run, helping the Cubs earn a split of the 10-game season series against the Cardinals.

Philadelphia 9, New York 8 (10): Segura hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and drove in a career-best five runs, bailing out the Phillies' abominable bullpen to salvage a victory over the host Mets for a four-game split.

Miami 5, Atlanta 4 (10): Miguel Rojas had four hits, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning, and the Marlins beat the host Braves. Atlanta pinch hitter Adam Duvall led off the ninth with a tying homer off Brandon Kintzler, but the former Twins closer escaped a bases-loaded jam before Rojas delivered.

San Francisco 4, Arizona 2: Kevin Gausman struck out nine over six innings, Darin Ruf hit a two-run single and the host Giants beat the Diamondbacks.

Cleveland 5, Kansas City 2: Zach Plesac won his second start in a row since returning to the rotation after a demotion for breaking team COVID-19 protocols, and the host Indians extended the Royals' losing streak to a season-high seven games.

Plesac gave up a hit in each of the first seven innings, including Adalberto Modesi's 458-foot homer in the seventh, but came up with big pitches. Brad Hand (Chaska) struck out the side in the ninth for his 12th save in as many tries.

Seattle 8, Texas 4: Dylan Moore hit a solo home run and added a three-run double, Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer and the host Mariners beat the Rangers for their first six-game winning streak since July 2019. Seattle has won 11 of 14.

Washington 6, Tampa Bay 1: Max Scherzer cooled off the AL East-leading Rays with seven scoreless innings, Kurt Suzuki had three hits and Michael A. Taylor drove in two runs for the last-place Nationals at home.