Baez lifts Cubs by Padres
He’s already an All-Star, but Javier Baez keeps finding ways to shine even brighter.
Baez tied his career high with his 23rd homer and took over the National League lead with 84 RBI, helping the Cubs defeat the San Diego Padres, 5-4, yesterday in Chicago.
The infielder also tripled and threw out a runner at home in the eighth inning as the Cubs survived a late bullpen meltdown.
“Javy’s game today was complete,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Too many times in our industry we get hung up just on offensive numbers, but we won that game today on defense.”
Baez, who’s batting .299, is at the top of National League MVP candidates, at least as far as his teammates are concerned.
“His numbers are very good and very consistent offensively,” said Anthony Rizzo, who homered and had three hits. “Defensively, (running) the bases, he does it all.
“If he continues to do what he does . . . and with a first-place team with a lot of expectations. He’s just carrying the load.”
Baez credits “baseball instinct” for his breakout season.
“It’s just reacting to what you see, to be honest,” Baez said. “I don’t plan it, but as soon as I see it, I just react to it.”
Ben Zobrist drove in two runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs, who entered one game ahead of Milwaukee.
Phillies 5, Marlins 1 — Vince Velasquez allowed two hits in 61⁄3 scoreless innings to lead host Philadelphia to a victory over Miami.
Seranthony Dominguez recorded the final four outs for his 12th save in 13 chances as the Phillies won their third straight to remain a half-game in front of Atlanta for first place in the NL East.
Velasquez (8-8) struck out seven and walked one to continue his strong form. The right-hander has a 0.71 ERA in his last five appearances. Velasquez didn’t allow a hit until Miguel Rojas’ two-out single in the fifth.
Braves 3, Mets 1 — Ozzie Albies hit a tiebreaking double off Jacob deGrom, Anibal Sanchez pitched six effective innings and visiting Atlanta beat New York for its fifth straight win.
Albies gave the Braves a 2-1 lead in the fifth when he doubled to left field corner as Ronald Acuna Jr. easily scored from second after getting a two-out double.
Johan Camargo hit his 13th homer off the facing of the second deck in right field to put Atlanta up 1-0 in the second, a day after hitting a two-run double Thursday off Jason Vargas.
Mixing in an effective cutter with his splitter, Sanchez (6-3) allowed one run and two hits. He struck out a season-high nine, including Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier to end the sixth after issuing a one-out walk to Jose Bautista.
Pirates 7, Cardinals 6 — Adam Frazier’s RBI single in the eighth inning helped host Pittsburgh win in Chris Archer’s debut, beating St. Louis.
Pittsburgh overcame a rough outing by Archer, acquired from Tampa Bay earlier in the week, as gave up five runs and seven hits in 41⁄3 innings. He struck out six and walked four. Despite the uneven performance, the right-hander — winless in his last eight starts — received a standing ovation when he was removed during a three-run fifth inning.
Reds-Nationals, ppd. — The game between Cincinnati and host Washington last night was postponed because of weather. The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader today. The first game will be played at 1:05 p.m., with the regularly scheduled game to follow at 7:05 p.m.
American League
Angels 7, Indians 4 — Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs in a game for the first time in the major leagues, and Los Angeles defeated host Cleveland.
Ohtani, whose four hits were also the most of his big league career, singled in the eighth and scored the go-ahead run on David Fletcher’s double.
The Angels won at Progressive Field for the first time since June 17, 2014, breaking a 10-game skid.
For the Indians, Andrew Miller was activated after being out because of inflammation in his right knee. The left-hander, who was on the 60-day disabled list, has been sidelined since May 26.
White Sox 3, Rays 2 — Yoan Moncada hit a goahead double in the 10th inning, lifting Chicago over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Nicky Delmonico had a two-out double in the 10th off Jose Alvarado (1-4) and was replaced by pinchrunner Adam Engel. Tim Anderson was intentionally walked, and Moncada hit a liner over left fielder Jake Bauers.
Tyler Danish (1-0) struck out Jesus Sucre with two on and two outs in the ninth, and Hector Santiago got his first save since 2012. He walked Mallex Smith leading off the bottom half of the 10th, Kevin Kiermaier popped up a bunt and Matt Duffy grounded into a double play.
Newly acquired outfielder Tommy Pham was placed on the 10-day disabled list by the Rays because of a broken right foot.