With the bases loaded and nobody out in the top of the ninth, Chicago Cubs closer Hector Rondon went on to strike out three San Francisco Giants to escape a massive jam and secure the Cubs' 2-0 victory. With the win, the Cubs (62-48) completed a four-game sweep of the Giants (59-52) and opened their lead for the second National League Wild Card position to 3.5 games over the Giants.

Rondon came into the ninth to protect a 2-0 lead. He started out rough, allowing a single to Brandon Belt and a double to Brandon Crawford to open the inning, putting runners at second and third. Rondon then hit Ehire Adrianza to load the bases. Under great pressure, Rondon reached back and struck out Hector Sanchez, Angel Pagan, and Gregor Blanco -- all hitting left-handed -- in succession. Blanco took strike three to end it.

Jake Arrieta (W: 13-6, 2.38 ERA) extended his string of quality starts to 10 with a 7 2/3-inning, four-hit performance. He walked two, hit one, and struck out six. During the past 10 games, Arrieta has an ERA of 1.23. Justin Grimm finished the eighth by getting Hunter Pence, representing the go-ahead run, to fly out to the warning track in center field with two men on. Rondon (S: 19) got into and out of a mess to close it out.

Jake Peavy (L: 2-5, 3.75) pitched five innings, allowing both Cub rubs on four hits. He threw 101 pitches as the Cubs had long at bats early in the game. Hunter Strickland and Jeremy Affeldt combined for three hitless innings in relief.

The Cubs scored single runs in each of the first two innings. In the first, Kris Bryant looped a single into right to bring home Kyle Schwarber, who had walked his way aboard.  In the second, Arrieta tripled to right with one out, just missing his second home run of the year (video). He scored on Addison Russell's sacrifice fly. No one else would cross the plate for either team.

Giants left fielder Nori Aoki left the game in the top of the third when he took an Arrieta fastball off the helmet (video). Initial evaluation came back fine, but he will need further examination, and the Giants will await the results.

Both the Cubs and Giants will have Monday off. Beginning Tuesday, the Giants return home for two with the Houston Astros and four with the Washington Nationals. The Cubs will welcome the rivaled Milwaukee Brewers to Wrigley Field for three before visiting the Chicago White Sox for three games next weekend.