Arrieta, Baez, Rizzo heroes of Friday's win

Jake Arrieta threw 6⅓ sparkling innings, and Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez continued their torrid hitting as the Cubs opened a three-game set against Toronto with a 7-4 victory Friday at Wrigley Field.

After using six pitchers in a 13-10 loss to the Reds on Thursday, the Cubs desperately needed a solid outing from Arrieta (13-8), and he delivered by allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. It was the seventh straight time Arrieta has allowed 2 or fewer runs.

"We had limited bullpen again, so it was very large (for Arrieta) to get us that deep," said manager Joe Maddon, whose team improved to 64-57. "I thought Jake was very good."

Also very good was Rizzo, who stroked a 2-run single in the fifth that made it 5-1, and Baez, who crushed a 2-run homer to left in the eighth after Toronto had closed the gap to 5-4 in the top of the inning. Baez, who now has 20 homers, also made a spectacular defensive play on a wicked one-hop grounder by Jose Bautista in the ninth.

Asked what he likes better - hitting home runs or wowing the crowd with Ozzie Smith-like plays in the field - a smiling Baez said: "I like both. To be honest, I like both. I like the fans cheering for me. I know Chicago loves me, so thank you for that. Thank you for all that love from the fans."

Said Arrieta: "He's a special talent. He does things that maybe a handful of guys in baseball can do. (He) makes plays that look near impossible possible and gets big outs for us."

Baez has 18 RBI in August, while Rizzo is 11-for-21 with 12 RBI in the last five games. Catcher Victor Caratini reached base in all 4 at-bats, going 3-for-3 with a walk.

Miggy returns:

Miguel Montero played at Wrigley Field on Friday for the first time since the Cubs designated him for assignment in late June.

Montero, now on the Blue Jays, blamed Jake Arrieta for allowing Washington to steal seven bases in a 6-1 loss on June 27.

Arrieta started Friday's 7-4 victory over Toronto and said he spoke with Montero during his second at-bat.

"I asked him if he wanted to go grab a drink tonight," Arrieta said. "So we might do that. You know, he's one of my favorite guys. It was a little upsetting to see the way it ended for him here, but it is what it is.

"He's in a new spot now and hopefully he has success there because I only hope for the best for him."

Bit of a blowup:

After Jon Lester was removed from Thursday's 13-10 loss to the Reds, he was seen having an animated conversation with pitching coach Chris Bosio in the dugout. There was a report it was about the team's poor defensive play, but Lester didn't want to discuss the matter Friday.

"I don't think it was a confrontation, but whatever is said between a coach and a player … in a dugout stays there," Lester said.

Around the horn:

With Jon Lester and Justin Grimm going on the 10-day disabled list, the Cubs recalled RHP Felix Pena and LHP Rob Zastryzny from AAA Iowa. … Javier Baez joined Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber in the 20-HR club Friday. Only three previous Cubs teams (1958, 2004, 2008) have had five players reach 20 homers in one season. … Wade Davis improved to 25-for-25 in save situations Friday. If Davis records a save in his next opportunity, he will tie Ryan Dempster for the longest streak in franchise history.