Cubs edge Giants to extend NL Central lead
CHICAGO -- Addison Russell's two-run seventh inning single propelled the Chicago Cubs a lead they never relinquished in a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.
Russell dropped a bloop single into left field off Giants reliever Cory Gearrin to score to Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant with the tying and go-ahead runs.
The Cubs (86-47) won their fourth straight and extended their National League Central lead to 15 1/2 games.
Cubs reliever Joe Smith (1-0) worked two innings for the victory, secured just hours after he was activated from the disabled list. Giants reliever Hunter Strickland (3-2) took the loss after he put tying and go-ahead runners on base.
Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. pitched a one-two-three ninth for his first career save.
Chicago starter Mike Montgomery worked four innings and didn't factor in the decision. Nor did Giants right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who was knocked around early in his first career start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Giants (72-61) fell two games behind the idle NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. They remained atop a tight pack in the NL wild card playoff chase.
Samardzija, who pitched for the Cubs from 2008-14, gave up three first inning runs and then settled down through his pitch-heavy but otherwise scoreless four-inning effort.
The Cubs' loaded the bases and just one out in the bottom of the seventh on left-handed reliever Will Smith. Jason Heyward popped to right for a second out and Gearrin came in to face Russell, who laced an 0-1 pitch to left.
Hunter Pence gave the Giants a 2-0 first inning lead with his two-out home run deep into the left field bleachers. His ninth homer of the year came on a 1-0 pitch and scored Denard Span, who led off the game with a double to right.
The Cubs replied with three runs on four hits while Samardzija threw 47 first inning pitches.
Bryant extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a bloop single to right that scored Dexter Fowler. Jason Heyward followed with a single to left-center to plate Anthony Rizzo and Chris Coghlan's two-out double to right brought home Ben Zobrist.
Samardzija's second inning sacrifice scored Joe Panik to force a 3-3 tie. In the third, Brandon Crawford grounded into a fielder's choice to a 4-3 lead as he brought home Buster Posey.
Montgomery was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fourth. He allowed four runs -- three earned -- on three hits while striking out one and walking three in a four-inning outing.
Samardzija left shortly after. He also worked four innings, giving up three runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out three while throwing 87 pitches.
NOTES: Thursday's series opener between the Giants and the Cubs was the start of a 10-game road trip for San Francisco that includes stops in Colorado and Arizona. ... The Giants made six moves prior to Thursday's game as rosters expanded. They reinstated LHP John Osich (left forearm strain) and OF Mac Williamson (left shoulder strain) from the 15-day disabled list. Players recalled from Triple-A included LHP Ty Blach, LHP Matt Reynolds, LHP Steven Okert and INF Kelby Tomlinson. ... San Francisco sends RHP Albert Suarez (3-2, 4.35 ERA) against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (14-4, 2.70 ERA) in Friday's second game of the series. ... The Cubs announced three transactions prior to Thursday's game, including the activation of OF Chris Coghlan (right rib contusion) from the 15-day disabled list. They also activated RHP Joe Smith (left hamstring strain) from the 15-day disabled list and called up RHP Jake Buchanan from Triple-A Iowa. ... The series is the second meeting this season between the teams. The Giants took two of three at AT&T Park May 20-22.