Cubs fall to Braves in series opener |
ATLANTA -- Bud Norris pitched seven strong innings and gave up just four hits to lead Atlanta, the team with the worst record in baseball over the team, to a 5-1 win over the major-league-leading Chicago Cubs. With the win, the Braves improved to 18-42 and the Cubs dropped to 41-18. The Braves have now won two of the three games played against the Cubs this season.
Atlanta got the winning runs in the second inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Adonis Garcia and Tyler Flowers. The Cubs' only run came on RBI groundout by Dexter Fowler after a double by rookie outfielder Albert Almora. Cubs starter Jason Hammel (7-2, 2.36) gave up three runs and eight hits in 5.2 innings. Jason Heyward went 0-4 with three strikeouts in his return to Atlanta. The Braves had twelve hits to the Cubs' four. Chicago is just 4-13 when outhit by the opponent and 4-16 when scoring less than 4 runs. The Cubs were without first baseman Anthony Rizzo who was a late scratch with back tightness and will be listed as day-to-day. Chicago will look to bounce back in game two of the series when Jake Arrieta (9-1, 1.80) faces RHP Matt Wisler (2-6, 3.98) Saturday at 3:10 p.m. CT.
