Cubs Win, Heyward Hurt; Cards Lose, Tejada Pitches

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Published on May 21 2016 10:44 am
Last Updated on May 21 2016 10:44 am
Written by Greg Sapp

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Herrmann got the Arizona Diamondbacks' offense started against Carlos Martinez. Then he helped them finish the job.

Herrmann had a two-run single in the first inning and homered off infielderRuben Tejada in the ninth, providing a bit of cushion for a bullpen that faltered in an 11-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

"Just to come out and put up two runs in the first inning is huge," Herrmann said. "I know he's been struggling but we don't want him to feel comfortable out there."

The woes for St. Louis' starting pitchers, who have combined for a 4.16 ERA, continued as Carlos Martinez lasted five innings in fallingSt. Louis fell for the seventh time in 12 games against a lefty starter, fanning seven times and recording four hits versus Arizona's Patrick Corbin.

Patrick Corbin struck out seven andMichael Bourn and Chris Owingsadded two RBI apiece for the Diamondbacks, who are 13-7 on the road and 7-17 at home.

"I wouldn't say we're so good on the road, I'd say we've been poor at home," manager Chip Hale. "I think it is really the way we should be playing, and we'll have to do that at home also."

They pulled away with seven runs over the last two innings and have won nine of 10 road series openers dating to last September.

Martinez (4-4) allowed four runs in five innings and has lost his last four starts after winning the first four. His last victory was April 26 at Arizona when he allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings.

"I thought he had a little trouble finding his fastball command," manager Mike Matheny said.

Jonathan Broxton was charged with five runs in one-third of an inning in the eighth and Tejada made his major league pitching debut, surrendering consecutive homers to Herrmann and Brandon Drury.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Even one of baseball's hottest team's couldn't slow down Jake Arrieta.

Arrieta gave up four hits and one walk while striking out eight in seven innings to win his 19th consecutive decision as the Chicago Cubs beat San Francisco 8-1 Friday night, snapping the Giants' eight-game winning streak.

"It was a battle for me," said Arrieta, who leads the majors with a 1.29 ERA. "I wasn't crisp until the third or fourth inning . Those guys are tough, top to bottom and they make you work. I had to adjust on the fly a little bit. I brought my B stuff and had to sequence differently."

With Jason Heyward potentially out for a while, the Cubs might have to rely on Jorge Soler. But if Friday is any indication, Soler will be just fine.The Cubs' Jason Heyward made a diving catch in the first inning but paid the price, crashing into the wall and leaving the game. He is set for an MRI on his right hip area Saturday.

The Cubs have won Arrieta's last 22 starts going back to last season, with their ace going 19-0 in that stretch. Chicago also won on the road for the 24th time in 29 games.

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward left the game in the bottom of the first inning after crashing into the left field wall on a diving catch. He chased a shot over his head off the bat of Denard Span, robbing the Giants' leadoff man of extra bases on the third pitch he saw from Arrieta (8-0).

"The first hitter of the game, something like that, I'm at a loss for words," Arrieta said of Heyward's catch in the deepest part of the stadium.

"That's an amazing catch. What he's capable with the glove in the outfield, it's amazing. I think he'll be just fine. A little sore, but I hope he's back as soon as possible.

Heyward is under evaluation for an injury to his right torso abdominal region, the Cubs said.

"He'll get an MRI in the morning," manager Joe Maddon said. "We don't know anything yet. That might have been the game right there. He threw caution to the wind. That could have been an inside the park home run and they have a different mentality."

Arrieta retired 13 of the last 16 batters he faced after allowing Joe Panik's two-out run-scoring single in the bottom of the third -- just the second run Arrieta has allowed through the first three innings this season.