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Russell, Hammel and Bryant star in Cubs win

Start with a bounce-back performance by pitcher Jason Hammel. Add home run No. 36 of the year by Kris Bryant. And toss in a spectacular sliding catch by shortstop Addison Russell, and the Chicago Cubs continue to make magic happen at Wrigley Field.

All of those things helped the Cubs to a 6-5 victory Wednesday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving them a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. The Cubs compiled a record in August of 22-6, equaling the franchise's best August since the 1932 club went 22-6.

Adding it all up, the Cubs are 85-47 for the season. They hold a 15-game lead in the National League Central over St. Louis, and their magic number for clinching the division is 16.

“I would have never have dreamed that, never,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I'm happy with the way we're playing, obviously. That's pretty good stuff. You never could even imagine that would have this kind of lead at this particular point in the season.”

Hammel, coming off 2 short starts on the road, worked 6 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball to improve to 14-7 with a 3.14 ERA.

Kris Bryant staked Hammel to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first his home run, a drive to left field against a 17-mph north wind. Russell picked up his 85th RBI of the season with a single in the fourth to make it 2-0.

The Pirates got a run in the fifth, but the Cubs added 3 more in the sixth. Relievers Trevor Cahill and Justin Grimm faced trouble in the seventh, but shortstop Russell kept the damage to 1 run with a sliding catch in left field to end the inning on a popup by Gregory Polanco.

“It was awesome,” Russell said. “Bases loaded, high-situation part of the game. Polanco's up, so I'm playing pretty much up the middle. Just got a good read on the ball.

“I anticipated him hitting it up the middle, but he hit it the other way. I pounced on it as quick as I can. I thought there was no way I was going to make that play, but I hustled over there and got a glove on it and made a play. It was awesome.”

Maddon marveled at the play.

“He's been nothing short of spectacular,” the manager said.

Aroldis Chapman, working his third night in a row, survived a scary ninth to record his 12 Cubs save.

Reinforcements coming:

With Sept. 1 here, teams may expand their rosters up from 25. The Cubs will have minor league call-ups and players coming off the disabled list.

Reliever Joe Smith was supposed to throw again Wednesday for Class AAA Iowa, and outfielder Chris Coghlan also was well along on a minor-league rehab stint at Iowa. Outfielder Albert Almora Jr. who acquitted himself well after making his big-league debut earlier this season, figures to be back up.

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