Cubs Come From Behind to Beat Braves; Padres Down Cardinals

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Published on August 22 2015 9:36 am
Last Updated on August 22 2015 9:36 am
Written by Greg Sapp

CHICAGO--By now, Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs aren't fazed by an early deficit.

Not when they've shown a propensity all season for turning them into victories.

Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero had consecutive RBI doubles in the sixth as the Cubs extended Shelby Miller's winless skid to 17 games with a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Anthony Rizzo added an RBI single in the seventh for Chicago.

The Cubs, who remain in the thick of the NL wild-card chase, erased an early 3-1 deficit, taking the lead in the two-run sixth.

Jason Motte (8-1) earned the win in relief, starting a string of four innings during which Cubs relievers didn't allow a hit until pinch-hitter Nick Swisher doubled with two out in the ninth off closer Hector Rondon. Rondon recovered to earn his 22nd save in 26 opportunities.

The bullpen proved big after Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks left after five innings and giving up three runs. Hendricks struck out seven, walked one and scattered seven hits.

That's when the Cubs bullpen went to work.

TODAY--Atlanta at Cubs, 3:05pm at Wrigley Field

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SAN DIEGO--Travis Jankowski stepped into the batter's box against John Lackey for his first big league at-bat.

Two pitches later, he singled up the middle.

He hit an RBI single in his next at-bat, and then came around to score on Yangervis Solarte's two-run home run in a crazy five-run fifth inning.

It was quite the night for Jankowski, 24, who helped the San Diego Padres to a 9-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

Matt Kemp and pinch-hitter Brett Wallace each had a two-run homer in the eighth for San Diego, which won its fourth straight game and sixth in seven.

The Cardinals, who still have the best record in baseball at 77-44, committed three errors in the fifth behind Lackey (10-8), who allowed four hits, a walk and a wild pitch in the inning.

The carnage started for the Cardinals in the fifth when Andrew Cashner (5-12) bunted to advance Alexi Amarista, who opened with a single.

First baseman Mark Reynolds fielded the ball near the bag and tried for a reverse double play, but his throw sailed into left field.

Stephen Piscotty's throw to third base sailed into the Cardinals' dugout allowing Amarista to score and Cashner to take third. Jankowski, batting ninth behind Cashner, singled to left to bring in the pitcher for his first career RBI.

TONIGHT--Cardinals at San Diego, 7:40pm