Hendricks in command as Cubs top Indians

 The Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians 7-2 tonight completing a two game sweep and improving their record to a Major League Baseball best 12-3.

Kyle Hendricks continued his excellent season with six innings of one run ball giving up seven hits while striking out five. His curveball and change up were excellent tonight and he allowed very few hard hit balls.

The Cubs did a very impressive job making Carlos Carrasco work as he walked five in his four and a third innings pitched while allowing three runs on top of four hits. He only threw 57 of his 103 pitches for strikes and never seemed to get fully comfortable out there.

The offense got the scoring started in the third inning when Anthony Rizzo connected for a solo home run that had an exit velocity of 108.4 MPH.

In the fifth the Cubs would load the bases with one out which led to a Jason Heyward sacrifice fly and then a David Bote two-run single (he seems to like August 12th).

Prior to the runs scored the Cubs would lose catcher Willson Contreras after he was ejected slamming his bat while arguing a swinging strike. It would result in an interesting decision for the Cubs as they placed Victor Caratini at catcher which caused them to lose the designated hitter spot and moved Kyle Hendricks to the fourth spot in the line up. He would not take an at bat though as he would be pinch hit for by Steven Souza Jr.

The Cubs would add on to the lead in the 6th on a Kris Bryant 430 foot bomb. Jason Kipnis continued his revenge series with an RBI double and Jason Heyward would conclude the scoring with another RBI double to make it 7-2.

Heyward continues to heat up and has now gotten his season line up to .256/.313/.419 which puts his wRC+ at en even 100. His .163 ISO and 89.1 MPH exit velocity along with a .265 BABIP suggest that he could continue to improve over the next upcoming games.

Dan Winkler struggled out of the bullpen throwing 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes while walking two and striking out one. Rowan Wick would come in and allow a run that would be charged to Winkler, but struck out three in his inning and a third.

Jeremy Jeffress would come in for the ninth and induce a double play after a hit batter to secure the victory.

The Cubs start a four game set against the Milwaukee Brewers tomorrow at 6:15. Yu Darvish will take the mound opposing Chase Anderson in a game that is exclusive on FOX.