Cubs Overtake Braves, 5-3
CHICAGO (AP) -- Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero had consecutive RBI doubles in the sixth as the Chicago Cubs extended Shelby Miller's winless skid to 16 games with a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
Anthony Rizzo added an RBI single in the seventh for Chicago.
Jason Motte (8-1) earned the win in relief, starting a string of four innings during which Cubs relievers didn't allow a hit until pinch-hitter Nick Swisher doubled with one out in the ninth off of closer Hector Rondon.
London recovered to earn his 22nd save in 26 opportunities.
Miller (5-10) dropped his career-high ninth straight decision. Miller only allowed two hits, including Chris Coghlan's solo homer, over the first five innings, but gave up five runs overall -- three earned -- after the Braves made a pair of critical errors.
Miller struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings and walked four while scattering six hits. After allowing a first-inning home run to Coghlan, Miller retired 10 of 11 batters before running into trouble in the sixth.
The Braves have lost five straight overall and 20 of 22 road games.
Chicago, which never led until the sixth, got to 3-2 in the fifth when Montero scored on a throwing error by Braves third baseman Pedro Ciriaco when he attempted to start a double play.
Atlanta built a 3-1 lead in the third inning when Nick Markakis lined a two-out double over center fielder Dexter Fowler's head.
Markakis scored on Freddie Freeman's fielder's choice in the first inning after lacing a sharp single on the game's first pitch.
Cubs' starter Kyle Hendricks left after five innings. Hendricks allowed three runs and seven hits. He struck out seven while allowing only one walk.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Bryant returned to the lineup after being pulled from Thursday's game after fouling a ball off his foot in the fifth inning with the Cubs leading the Braves 7-0. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Bryant experienced soreness in his foot after the game.
UP NEXT
Braves RHP Williams Perez (4-4, 4.34 ERA) will be looking for his first win in August after losing his last three starts, in which he has given up 11 runs. Cubs RHP Dan Haren (6-5, 3.38) will make his fourth start for the Cubs and trying for his second win in a Chicago uniform after coming over from the Marlins in a trade last month.
(© 2015 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)
