Cubs aced out by Bumgarner, Giants
CHICAGO -- Madison Bumgarner emerged victorious in a late-season matchup of ace pitchers on Saturday at Wrigley Field.
Bumgarner (14-8) struck out 10 and allowed two runs in six innings as the San Francisco Giants edged the Chicago Cubs 3-2.
Bumgarner bested Jake Arrieta and the Cubs, who owns the best record in baseball. The Cubs fell to 50-20 at home and saw their five-game winning streak snapped.
Since the All-Star break, the Giants are a major-league worst 16-29.
The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo drew a walk against Will Smith to begin the bottom of the ninth. After closer Santiago Casilla replaced Smith, Dexter Fowler's sacrifice bunt moved Rizzo to second, but Rizzo overran second and was tagged out.
Bumgarner, the left-hander and four-time All-Star, had a 6.35 ERA in his last three starts, yet he entered the game at 7-2 with a 2.19 ERA in 11 previous career starts against the Cubs.
Reigning Cy Young winner Arrieta (16-6) gave up three runs -- two earned -- and four hits in six innings. He struck out seven, walked two and threw two wild pitches, including one that allowed a run to score.
Arrieta leads the National League in victories and is sixth in ERA. In his previous start, he matched a season-high of six runs allowed in 6 1/3 innings Monday against Pittsburgh.
Angel Pagan doubled and later scored on third baseman Tommy LaStella's high throw to first base in the first inning to give the Giants the early lead.
Eduardo Nunez drove in a run on a single in the fourth for a 2-0 Giants lead. Joe Panik scored after he singled with two out, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a passed ball.
The Cubs cut the lead to one in the fifth. Javier Baez singled, stole second and scored on Arrieta's infield single. Baez beat shortstop Brandon Crawford’s throw to home with a headfirst slide.
Arrieta moved to second when Bumgarner was called for a balk, but Bumgarner ended the inning with a strikeout.
Crawford singled, stole second and then swiped t0hird with no one covering before he scored on Arrieta's wild pitch to put the Giants ahead 3-1 in the sixth.
The Cubs pulled to within 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
After Ben Zobrist reached base on a fielder's choice and Addison Russell was hit by a pitch, Willson Contreras singled to load the bases.
Zobrist scored on Baez's sacrifice fly in foul territory in right field. Matt Szczur struck out with two runners on to end the inning.
The Cubs left the bases loaded in the seventh when Russell flew out
with two out.
A review overturned Baez getting on base in the eighth. He slid headfirst to try to beat reliever Sergio Romo's feet-first sliding tag of first base.
The Giants saw their franchise-record 17-game errorless streak end in the bottom of the first when first baseman Brandon Belt dropped a popup on the mound. Zobrist was stranded at first base.
NOTE: Cubs RF Jorge Soler (ingrown toenail) was a late scratch from the lineup but struck out as a pinch hitter in the fifth. ... The Giants purchased the contract of RHP Joe Nathan from Double-A Richmond on Saturday. Nathan signed as a free agent with the organization on Aug. 16 after the Cubs released him Aug. 8. He previously pitched for the Giants from 1999-2003 before he and LHP Francisco Liriano were traded to the Minnesota Twins for C A.J. Pierzynski and cash in 2003. ... The Giants recalled RHP Ray Black from Double-A Richmond and put him on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Nathan. ... Cubs setup man Hector Rondon (triceps) said he was feeling good after he threw a 22-pitch simulated game Saturday. His plan for a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa was canceled. He could be activated from the disabled list Monday. ... Cubs RF Jorge Soler (ingrown toenail) was a late scratch from the lineup. ... Giants RHP Derek Law (elbow) has yet to start throwing since going on the disabled list Aug. 28. Manager Bruce Bochy said he expects Law to be at full strength when his 15 days on the disabled list end on Sept. 12.