Sep 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) hits two RBI single off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Cory Gearrin (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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.
