CHICAGO: Andrew Benintendi drove in three runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the sliding Chicago Cubs 9-1 on Sunday for a sweep of their weekend series.
It was Chicago’s franchise-record 13th consecutive loss at Wrigley Field.
Benintendi and Carlos Santana each had three hits in Kansas City’s sixth win in seven games. Hunter Dozier doubled and drove in two runs.
Royals right-hander Carlos Hernndez (4-1) struck out a career-high eight in seven innings, also a career best. He allowed one run and four hits.
Frank Schwindel had two hits for the Cubs, who have dropped 18 of 22 since trading away stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Bez and Craig Kimbrel.
Benintendi helped Kansas City get off to a fast start. He singled, advanced on second baseman Matt Duffys error and scored on Doziers single in the second. He added a two-run double in the third against Alec Mills (5-6).
Whit Merrifields sacrifice fly and Nicky Lopezs single extended the lead to 5-0 in the fourth.
The Cubs got one back in the bottom half, with some help from the Royals. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor and right fielder Dozier misplayed Ian Happs fly ball into a ground-rule double. Both outfielders pursued the ball before it dropped between them. Happ scored on Duffys single.
Mills was charged with seven runs, six earned, and 11 hits in four-plus innings.
TRAINERS ROOM
Royals: C Salvador Perez returned to the lineup. He was scratched Saturday before he pinch-hit in the ninth and grounded out. Perez left Fridays game in the eighth due to a headache after a foul tip hit him two innings earlier.
Cubs: INF Nico Hoerner (right oblique strain) exited the first game of his rehab assignment with Class A South Bend during his third-inning at-bat. He felt increased tension across his oblique and pulled himself as a precaution, according to the Cubs. Hoerner was expected to continue his rehab with Triple-A Iowa later this week. Manager David Ross said Hoerner will primarily play shortstop when he comes off the IL. C Willson Contreras (right knee sprain) has been doing some catching and may see time at designated hitter when he returns, Ross said. The Cubs play the White Sox and Twins this month.
UP NEXT
Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch (3-3, 5.12 ERA) is set to make his second straight start against the Astros to begin Mondays series at Houston. RHP Zack Greinke (11-3, 3.43 ERA) will pitch for the Astros.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (14-5, 4.04 ERA) is scheduled to start Mondays series opener against Colorado and RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-9, 4.58 ERA). Hendricks leads the majors with 14 wins.
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