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Cubs pitcher visits unfamiliar territory

Kyle Hendricks' complete-game victory was the story of Saturday's win over Philadelphia. But Hendricks created a stir in the second inning with a one-out single to right field.

Hendricks was just 1 for 15 at the plate this season before that single and noticed some shocked faces in the dugout from fellow starters Jon Lester and John Lackey.

"I haven't been over there (first base) in a while," Hendricks joked. "I looked up and they were all looking at me like, 'What are you doing?' I gave them a little laugh, so that was fun."

Hendricks nearly added to the surprises by scoring his first run of the season, but was thrown out at the plate on Jason Heyward's double to the left-field wall. Hendricks chose not to slide and was tagged out on a close play.

"I almost got in there, I think," he said. "Coming all the way from first, I probably should have slid in, but it was a long way from first and that was about all I had, I figured I'd stop right there. When I got in the dugout, I had to take a few extra seconds, get a drink of water. I tried to make sure I got myself a breather."

Hendricks was the third out of the inning, so manager Joe Maddon said he was a little worried about his pitcher going right back to the mound after a long sprint. But Hendricks retired the side in order in the top of the third.

Ross gets souvenir:

Veteran catcher David Ross was able to acquire the ball he hit for his 100th career home run on Friday. It was returned by Waveland Avenue regular "Ballpark Dave" Davison, who has been chasing home run balls outside Wrigley Field for more than 30 years.

"People don't realize when they do stuff like that, it's the memory," Ross said before Saturday's game, according to cubs.com. "I'll always remember that guy gave me that ball and was kind enough to do that. Now that guy is connected with me for life in my memory."

According to Elias, 840 players have homered at least 100 times in the majors. All of them except Ross have had at least three seasons with 250 at bats. Ross has reached that number just once in his 15 seasons.

Heyward heats up:

Jason Heyward not only had 2 doubles and an RBI on Saturday, he hit a screaming foul ball that probably landed on the far side of Sheffield Avenue in the fifth inning.

In his first 13 home games this season, Heyward went 4 for 46 at the plate. In the last eight games, he's hit .375.

"I wish I could tell you it's going to be a hot streak," Heyward said. "Even before when I wasn't feeling great, I hit some balls at people and it still wasn't a hot streak."

Etc.:

Ben Zobrist extended his hit streak to 14 games with a first-inning double and has now reached base safely in 33 straight, the longest single-season streak by a Cubs player since Starlin Castro reached in 40 straight in 2011. … At two hours, 18 minutes, this was the fastest game at Wrigley Field this season.

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