'Baby Maddux' pitches Cubs past Cards

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager David Ross trusted in Kyle Hendricks to set the tone for this unique season when he handed the pitcher the ball on Opening Day. On Monday afternoon, Ross was counting on Hendricks to do the same in what was undeniably a critical contest for Chicago.

"Yeah, it's a big game. It's a big game," Ross said prior to the first pitch.

Hendricks delivered, paving the way for a much-needed 5-1 victory over the rival Cardinals at Wrigley Field with a strong eight-inning performance. While Ross added that each game carries importance in this 60-game campaign, the manager did not downplay the significance of this one.

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Circumstances dictated that the 2020 edition of this historic rivalry would feature all 10 games at Wrigley Field. Following three St. Louis wins in the previous two days -- including a sweep of a twin bill on Saturday -- the Cubs' lead atop the National League Central had been trimmed to 1 1/2 games.

"It was really important for us," said Cubs shortstop Javier Báez, who had three hits and reached base four times. "I kind of felt like everybody was feeling the same thing once we got here."

In helping the Cubs to a 24-18 record, Hendricks moved the North Siders back out front by 2 1/2 over St. Louis. They split the season series, 5-5, during which the clubs played a trio of doubleheaders.

Hendricks' only blemish arrived in the seventh, when three singles eliminated the prospect of a shutout. He finished with four strikeouts and no walks in his 97-pitch performance. The right-hander encountered only one three-ball count, and 15 of the 28 plate appearances against him consisted of three pitches or fewer.

"That's the version of Kyle that I think we're used to seeing,” Ross said. “That’s the guy.”

Hendricks said the timing of his delivery felt improved, and the righty also regained a solid feel for both his fastball command and changeup. He leaned heavily on the sinker (41 times) and changeup (28) and ended with 15 swinging strikes and 12 outs via grounders.

This also marked the 38th consecutive start in which Hendricks finished with two or fewer walks, establishing a unique franchise record.

"That's a huge key for me -- not walking guys," Hendricks said. "I just want to come out aggressive, attacking guys. And yeah, I don’t want to give any free baserunners. I've been doing a pretty good job of that all year."

That is an understatement.

With his latest performance, Hendricks lowered his walk rate to 2.6 percent, which is the lowest mark among qualified pitchers in the NL. He has posted that minuscule rate while now leading the Majors in innings (58). The righty has a 3.41 ERA with 44 strikeouts and just six walks in nine outings.

"It's nice to be on the same side for once," said Cubs outfielder Cameron Maybin, who was acquired via trade on Aug. 31. "I've had a chance to face him, and he can be a frustrating at-bat. And you saw it today. On the other side, facing him for a long time, I'd tell my other teammates, 'We're facing Baby Maddux.'"

Told of Hendricks' club-record walk streak, Ross said that achievement just gets to the heart of the pitcher's style, and why the righty is so important for the Cubs right now.

"That's such a powerful thing in Major League Baseball," Ross said, "to have a guy that you know is going to take the bump, give you a solid outing, not going to beat himself, is going to keep you in the ballgame. Very poised in any situation."

Consider the third inning, when left fielder Kyle Schwarber was unable to make a running catch in the gap on a two-out double by Harrison Bader, and Báez followed by losing the handle on a sharp grounder from Kolten Wong. Undeterred, Hendricks struck out Tommy Edman to escape unscathed.

Hendricks coaxed double plays in the fourth, sixth and seventh, with the last two inning-enders.

"He's a pitch-maker," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "That's the first thing I write down and pretty much what I think when I see him. He's not going to give in a whole lot."

That is precisely what the Cubs needed on Monday, and what the club will continue to require going forward.

Yu Darvish (7-1 with an NL-leading 1.44 ERA) and Hendricks form a strong one-two combination at the top of the rotation, but the rest of the staff is sorting through issues and injuries. Chicago knows it has to shore up that aspect as October continues to inch closer.

"We've kind of gone this year how our starting pitching's gone, to be honest with you," Ross said. "One win isn't going to just put us back where we need to be, but we're moving in the right direction."