Best of MLB: Cubs Top Nationals in Opener of NL Showdown

CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks pitched six scoreless innings, Ben Zobrist drove in four runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series between two of baseball's hottest teams.

Hendricks (2-2) allowed two hits, struck out four and walked two as Chicago began a 10-game homestand with its fourth consecutive win and eighth in nine games.

Zobrist hit a two-run single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the eighth, helping the Cubs improve their major league-best record to 21-6 for their best start since they were 23-4 in 1907.

Jayson Werth hit a long two-run homer in the ninth for Washington, which had won five of six, including a 13-2 victory at World Series champion Kansas City on Wednesday. The Nationals began the day with baseball's second-best record at 19-8.

Joe Ross (3-1) matched Hendricks for much of the chilly night, striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed five hits and walked two (see full recap).

Conley helps Marlins sweep Diamondbacks
MIAMI -- Adam Conley pitched shutout ball for the second start in a row Thursday and the Miami Marlins completed a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 4-0 win.

The Marlins won for the 10th time in the past 11 games, and climbed three games above .500 for the first time since June 2014. The Diamondbacks lost their sixth game in a row.

Philadelphia Phillies

Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Phillies 2024 Opening Day postponed to Friday

Extra SEPTA service, free rides for Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day game

Christian Yelich hit a two-run homer, and Derek Dietrich and Chris Johnson had two-out RBI hits. Giancarlo Stanton went 2 for 3 with a double and scored a run.

Conley (2-1) gave up two hits in 5 1/3 innings and departed after throwing 88 pitches. The left-hander allowed no hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings last Friday.

A.J. Ramos completed the five-hitter by pitching the ninth, lowering his ERA to 0.73.

Robbie Ray (1-2) allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings (see full recap).

Orioles beat Yankees in 10 innings on sac fly
BALTIMORE -- Pedro Alvarez drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and the Baltimore Orioles finally broke through, beating the New York Yankees 1-0 Thursday night.

A day after getting shut out by the Yankees, the Orioles managed only five hits in eight innings against Masahiro Tanaka. Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman did even better, limiting New York to three hits through eight.

Hyun Soo Kim began the Baltimore 10th with an infield hit off Johnny Barbato (1-2). Kim took third on a single by Jonathan Schoop. Nolan Reimold pinch ran for Kim and Andrew Miller relieved Barbato.

Alvarez hit a soft fly to center, and Reimold easily beat Jacoby Ellsbury's throw to the plate.

Zach Britton (2-1) gave up a leadoff walk in the 10th and then struck out the next three batters.

The Yankees finished up a 2-7 trip. New York right fielder Dustin Ackley made a leaping catch at the wall and turned it into an inning-ending double play in the ninth (see full recap).

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us