Matt Szczur delivered a grand slam to cap a five-run eighth inning as the Cubs beat the Braves 6-1 at Wrigley Field. Anthony Rizzo singled in the go-ahead run before Szczur went deep for his second home run of the season. David Ross singled in the first run for Chicago, which won its fourth in-a-row. Jon Lester struck out 10 over seven innings of one-run ball, but Pedro Strop picked up the win in relief.
The Cubs are now (17-5) for the season.
Chris Withrow served up the slam in the eighth, but Jim Johnson was charged with the loss. Freddie Freeman homered for the lone Atlanta run in the fourth.
Game #2 of the series is this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Nolan Reimold's three-run homer in the seventh inning catapulted the Orioles past the White Sox, 6-3, in Baltimore. Jonathan Schoop added a two-run single and Brad Brach picked up his third win of the season in relief of Mike Wright. Baltimore has won three straight and is 9-and-1 at Camden Yards.
Avisail Garcia put Chicago up early with an RBI triple in the second. Brett Lawrie had a solo shot for the White Sox in the seventh. Chicago entered the series having won six in a row but has lost two straight to the Orioles.
Gme #3 of the series is tonight in Baltimore. The Pre-Game Show begins at 5:30 on Newstalk 1060.
