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Chicago Cubs get it done with Heyward

There's a sense of inevitability about the Chicago Cubs, isn't there?

They've played enough long crazy games at Wrigley Field this year that it seems if they hang close long enough, they're going to get the other team.

That happened again Sunday as they rallied for a come-from-behind 3-2 victory in 13 innings over the San Francisco Giants.

Jason Heyward tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning with a run-scoring single. In the 13th, he singled to left field to score Anthony Rizzo from second base. Rizzo had opened the inning with a single, going to second on a groundout. The Giants walked Addison Russell intentionally to get to Heyward.

Now about that inevitability.

“That's how we feel the whole game,” Heyward said. “Even if we have a lead going late in the game and we've done our job and got a 2-run, 3-run lead, we feel like we can get more, just having our approach and trying to wear teams down.

“Some days they're going to have your number. Some days you're not going to be able to get it done, but at the same time, the game's not over until it's over, and I feel that's been huge for us when we're winning games when we're behind.”

With the victory, the Cubs improved to 88-48 and lowered their magic number to clinch the National League Central to 11. They posted their sixth walk-off win this year, five of which have come in the last 21 home games.

There's no question it has been a tough go for Heyward. The Cubs' prize free-agent acquisition of last winter is batting just .236, but he was 3-for-6 with 3 RBI Sunday on 3 singles.

“I wouldn't say relief, but it feels good to help,” he said. “We've got a great team. We've got a lot to accomplish, we feel like. We don't feel like we're done with anything yet, but it's good to be a part of it.”

Manager Joe Maddon has been in Heyward's corner all season.

“He's had so many line drives caught,” Maddon said. “My point is confidence starts showing up and then all of a sudden you become more on time and the ball gets a little bit bigger and it gets crunched a little bit better.

So he's got all that going on right now.”

Heyward's day didn't begin so well, as he dropped Hunter Pence's flyball after making a run for it to start the second inning. That led to an unearned run for starting pitcher John Lackey, who went 5 innings in his first start off the disabled list. It was only Heyward's second error all season.

“After he missed that flyball, the first thing he did was he came in and he goes and sees Lackey and just said, 'I got you, man. My fault,' ” Maddon said. “People don't see this stuff. This guy's the consummate teammate on top of everything else.”

Lackey didn't need an apology.

“You're never going to get mad at J-Hey,” the pitcher said. “He's played Gold Glove defense all year. He's made a lot more plays than he's missed out there. I'll take that guy out there every day of the week, for sure.”

The Cubs won three of four in this series, and the story was pitching. They held the Giants to 14 hits over four games, tied for their fewest allowed in a four-game series in franchise history. It happened against the New York Giants in 1934.

Cubs relief pitchers did not allow a run in 16 innings this series, holding the Giants to 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 17. The 8 scoreless innings pitched by seven relievers Sunday marked the third time this year Cubs relievers have done that.

The Cubs have a 16½-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, but they show no signs of letting up.

“Isn't it beautiful?” Maddon said. “That's what I've been talking about. We have a nice record, but we're coming to play every day. Everybody says, 'What are you doing to do in September?' Nothing different. Just try to rest people when you can, but play the same game.”

Cubs like that Baez is always 'on'

Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward, right, celebrates with first base coach Brandon Hyde (16) after hitting anRBI-single against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in Chicago. Heyward later drove in the winning run with one out in the 13th. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Scouting report

Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park

TV: WGN Monday; Comcast SportsNet Plus Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks (13-7) vs. Zach Davies (10-6) Monday at 12:10 p.m.; Jason Hammel (14-7) vs. Wily Peralta (5-9) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; Mike Montgomery (1-1) vs. Matt Garza (5-6) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs are 9-3 against the Brewers this year, 3-3 at Miller Park. This is the start of a nine-game road trip, which includes an interleague series at Houston and another big series at St. Louis. Could the Cubs clinch the NL Central on this trip? The Brewers are battling the Reds to stay out of last place in the Central. Ryan Braun entered Sunday with a line of .308/.369/.535 with 24 homers and 74 RBI. Chris Carter had 31 homers and 74 RBI. He entered Sunday third in the NL in homers.

Next: Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Friday-Sunday

— Bruce Miles

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