MLB PLAYER NEWS

Hendricks extends Cubs’ run of stellar pitching

The Sports Xchange

May 22, 2015 at 12:31 am.

May 21, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (right) high-fives first base coach Brandon Hyde (16) after he threw a complete game shutout in the Cubs win over the San Diego Padres 3-0 at Petco Park. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

SAN DIEGO — Kyle Hendricks’ first career complete-game shutout Thursday night at Petco Park extended the Chicago Cubs’ run of excellent starts to 11 consecutive games.

Over that span, Cubs starting pitchers have a 2.38 ERA, allowing 19 earned runs in 72 innings. The 11-game run includes seven quality starts, and the Cubs are 8-3 over the streak.

Hendricks allowed five hits — all singles — with no walks and seven strikeouts Thursday in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres.

Over the past 11 games, Cubs starters have 75 strikeouts against 14 walks and have allowed two or fewer runs in eight starts. The starters are averaging 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the 11 games.

The pitching helped the Cubs win three straight series for the first time since July 28-Aug. 7, 2014.

At 23-17, the Cubs are off to their best 40-game start since the 2008 edition was 24-16.

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