Russell leads Cubs over Cardinals

CHICAGO — Addison Russell received a rousing ovation as he stepped to the plate for the first time in six weeks. Then he gave the crowd a reason to cheer even louder.

Russell homered in his first at-bat since being activated from the disabled list, Kyle Hendricks pitched effectively into the eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Saturday to increase their NL Central lead.