Nico Hoerner had three hits to pace Chicago’s 11-hit attack and help the visiting Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Wednesday in the rubber game of their three-game series.
The victory gave the Cubs (83-63) their first season-series victory over the Braves (65-81) since 2017.
Hoerner was 3-for-5, his 10th three-hit game of the season, stole two bases and scored a run. He hit .417 (5-for-12) with a double and a run scored in the three-game road trip. He has hit safely in five straight and in 12 of his last 13 games.
Chicago starter Jameson Taillon was lifted after 4 1/3 innings with runners on the corners. He allowed two runs on six hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Taylor Rogers (3-2) entered to pitch a scoreless inning and earned the win.
The Cubs’ bullpen followed with scoreless performances from Porter Hodge (2/3 innings), Caleb Thielbar (one inning), Brad Keller (one inning) and Andrew Kittredge (one inning). Kittredge earned his third save with a perfect ninth.
Chicago’s relievers allowed only one hit with five strikeouts over the final 4 2/3 innings.
Atlanta starter Chris Sale (5-5) was overpowering early in the game and struck out eight through three innings. He pitched five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.
The Braves scored their first run in the third inning. Marcell Ozuna doubled high off the brick wall in right field and scored when Nacho Alvarez Jr. sliced a double to left.
Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Carson Kelly hit a solo homer, his 17th, to open the inning. The Cubs added another run when Dansby Swanson singled, stole second and scored on Justin Turner’s double.
The Cubs added a run in the fifth when Nico Hoerner singled, advanced to second when Sale’s pickoff attempt went wild, stole third and scored on Seiya Suzuki’s sacrifice fly,
The Braves got the run back in the bottom of the fifth when Ozuna doubled and scored on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly.
