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Hendricks dominant again as Cubs sweep Reds

A year ago, Kyle Hendricks was at Wrigley Field being honored at the Cubs' minor-league pitcher of the year.

Now he's on the big-league team, and before Wednesday night's start against the Reds, he noted that Kane County Cougars pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng was getting this year's award.

Then Hendricks went out and beat the Reds 3-1, running his record to 7-2 and lowering his ERA from 2.38 to 2.28. The Cubs swept the three-game series from Cincinnati.

"Walking out, starting to warm up, I saw him out there and thought, 'This exact time last year I was here just watching,'" Hendricks said. "It's kind of crazy how fast it happens. They tell us that when we're down in the minor leagues. 'Just keep working because once you make it, you're going to look back and say it went fast.' It definitely has, and it's been a good ride."

Hendricks, called up from Class AAA Iowa July 10, gave up 7 hits and the 1 run while walking none and striking out four.

He gave up a run in the first inning before Chris Valaika and Ryan Kalish drove in runs in the second. Luis Valbuena's single gave the Cubs an insurance run in the eighth, and Hector Rondon earned his 25th save.

Hendricks also got help from a nice catch at the wall by left fielder Chris Coghlan on Kristopher Negron's drive with two runners on in the seventh.

"Anytime you can impact the game, offensively or defensively, on the basepaths, that's your goal," Coghlan said.

Jackson eager to pitch:

Edwin Jackson will start Friday for the first time since he went on the disabled list Aug. 21 with a right-lat strain. Jackson is enduring his second straight rough season with the Cubs. He's 6-14 with a 6.09 ERA.

"It feels good to be able to come back, especially since you were watching a lot of baseball, knowing that you're not going to get in," he said. "It's a good feeling. It feels like a kid out of punishment."

The bad news for Jackson is that he's going up against Cy Young front-runner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Kershaw is 19-3 with a 1.70 ERA.

Then there were two:

With the San Diego Padres and Fort Wayne of the Midwest League deciding to continue their affiliation, only two clubs in the league remain without parent clubs: the Kane County County Cougars and the South Bend Silver Hawks.

The Cubs have terminated their contract with Kane County after two years, and South Bend has been a strong contender to land the Cubs' Class A club. South Bend previously had been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cubs still may go back to Kane County, but sources say it's a 50-50 proposition.

Alcantara update:

Center fielder Arismendy Alcantara has a mild sprain of his right wrist, manager Rick Renteria said. Alcantara hurt his wrist crashing into the wall Monday, and an MRI revealed the sprain.

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