Rizzo, Hammel propel Cubs past reeling Rangers
CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo doubled in two runs while right-hander Jason Hammel snapped a six-game winless streak as the Chicago Cubs posted a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
The win was the Cubs' second straight in the interleague meeting and gave them the series heading into Sunday's finale at Wrigley Field.
Hammel (8-5) allowed just one run on three hits as he outdueled Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish, who was making his first start since June 8 and only his fourth big-league appearance since 2014.
Closer Hector Rondon worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save.
Darvish (2-1) pitched well until being pulled with one out in the fifth inning. Hammel picked up his first victory since a 5-3 victory over Arizona on June 4.
Chicago (55-35) has won three straight while AL West-leading Texas (54-38) has lost 11 of its last 14.
The Rangers opened a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an extended two-out play. It began with an RBI infield single by Elvis Andrus that scored Ryan Rua from second.
The sequence continued with a botched throw to first and followed to a relay to catcher Miguel Montero to unsuccessfully get Rua at the plate. A pinpoint throw to second baseman Ben Zobrist followed to record the final out.
Darvish allowed a walk and his first hit in the third and then gave up a two-out double to Rizzo into the right-field corner. Rizzo's team-leading 25th two-base hit of the season drove home Montero and Tommy La Stella for a 2-1 Cubs' lead.
Texas had Mitch Moreland perched at second after a two-out double in the fourth but he was stranded after Hammel fanned Rua for his sixth strikeout of the game.
Darvish departed after Hammel walked and Bryant reached on a fielder's choice.
Facing right-handed reliever Shawn Tolleson, RIzzo grounded into a fielder's choice that caught Bryant at second but put Hammel on third. But Ben Zobrist lined to second baseman Rougned Odor to end the threat.
Darvish allowed two earned runs on two hits, walked four and struck out nine.
The Cubs added on in the sixth as Matt Szczur, who was pinch hitting for Hammel, singled home Jason Heyward with two outs for a 3-1 lead. The hit also chased Tolleson.
Hammel allowed just one earned run on six hits, walked one and struck out seven in his six-inning outing.
NOTES: There are plenty of connections between Texas and Chicago, mostly one-sided. In Friday's series opener, the Cubs used pitchers who were originally drafted by the Rangers: Kyle Hendricks (8th, 2011), Carl Edwards Jr. (48th, 2011) and Justin Grimm (5th, 2010). Further, Pedro Strop made his major league debut with the Rangers in 2010. ... Sunday's start by Rangers RHP Cole Hamels (9-2, 3.21 ERA) is his first at Wrigley Field start since July 25, 2015, when he tossed a no-hitter against the Cubs while with the Philadelphia Phillies. He will face Chicago RHP John Lackey (7-5, 3.70 ERA). ... Lackey is quite familiar with Texas with 40 previous starts, his most against any opponent and fifth-most by any active pitcher against any foe. ... The Cubs' 6-0 victory Friday gave them six shutout wins by at least six or more runs, tying a record set in 1970. They also had six in 2007. ... Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo came into Saturday with a 10-game hitting streak, his third double-digit run in 2016. He is the first in the NL with three streaks of 10 or more while two in the AL have done it: Houston's Jose Altuve and Boston's Dustin Pedroia.