Cubs sweep Angels, pull within 5 games of Brewers

Nico Hoerner had an RBI double against former teammate Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Sunday.

Hoerner and Matt Shaw each had two hits in backing right-hander Jameson Taillon (9-6), who allowed one run in five innings as the Cubs improved to 8-2 in winning their third straight series. Right-hander Daniel Palencia worked out of a ninth-inning jam for his 20th save.

The win pulled the Cubs back within five games of division leader Milwaukee.

Taylor Ward hit his 30th homer for the Angels, who fell to 2-7 since a three-game sweep of the Dodgers.

Hendricks (6-9) gave up four runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts in his first start against his former club. He joined the Angels this season after 11 seasons with Chicago, where he played a key role in their 2016 World Series title.

Kyle Tucker went 5 for 12 with three home runs and seven RBIs in the series, after he was given a three-game rest against Milwaukee last week.

The Cubs have not named a starter for their series opener at San Francisco on Tuesday.



(AP Photo Eric Thayer)