Offense powers Cubs to victory

Kyle Hendricks rebounded after a rough start last week and the Cubs won their fifth game in a row beating the Royals 5-4 and improving their record to an NL-best 9-2.

Hendricks threw seven strong innings giving up two earned runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking none. 

The Royals struck first when Raul Mondesi Jr blooped a hit into left to score Salvador Perez. The Cubs would strike back the next half inning when Jason Heyward followed a Willson Contreras single with a two-run home run off of Brady Singer to give the Cubs the lead.

Jason Kipnis would extend the lead for the Cubs with a two-run home run in the fifth inning that would make the game 4-1. Kipnis has been extremely productive thus far this season. The home run was his fourth extra base hit in 16 plate appearances.

Besides the two home runs Royals rookie righty Brady Singer looked pretty impressive for the Royals. He gave up five hits in total plus two walks but managed to strike out eight over five innings.

Jeremy Jeffress got the eight for the Cubs and was impressive in a 1-2-3 inning. He has yet to allow a run and has been one of the Cubs most reliable relief arms.

Willson Contreras would add some insurance in the eight with a long home run off of former Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal.

Craig Kimbrel would enter in the ninth with a chance to show some growth, but he gave up two hits including a ringing double and was pulled for Kyle Ryan who had never gotten a save before. Ryan would give up a RBI ground out and an RBI single before a great play by Kris Bryant would preserve the 5-4 victory for the Cubs.

Yu Darvish takes the mound in Kansas City against Kris Bubic who is making his second big league start. Bubic allowed two runs over four innings against the Chicago White Sox in his first start.