(SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Phillies take aim at their longest winning streak in over a year on Friday night as they begin a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs.
The Phillies had lost eight of nine before sweeping a three-game set with the San Diego Padres to begin the week. They gave up only five runs in the series, winning Thursday's finale 7-3.
John Mayberry Jr. had a three-run homer among his three hits and Reid Brignac had a pinch-hit, tie-breaking double in the sixth frame that chased home two runs.
Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick overcame a rough first inning to pitch six frames and get the win.
"Kendrick gave up two runs in the first and then was solid and had a good start. Obviously put up zeroes, giving the offense a chance to swing the bats," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins had a hit to move within one of tying Mike Schmidt for the most in franchise history. Schmidt holds the mark with 2,234 hits.
The Phillies have won three in a row for the first time since May 17-20 and will try to post their longest winning streak since taking five in a row from June 2-6, 2013.
Roberto Hernandez gets the start for the Phillies aiming for his first win since May 4. He has lost each of his past three decisions since and lost his second straight start on Saturday versus Cincinnati.
The 33-year-old righty allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over four innings of work, falling to 2-4 on the year with a 4.35 earned run average in 14 games, including 11 starts.
Hernandez is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his career in two appearances with one start versus the Cubs.
Chicago has lost four of its past five games and was shut out 4-0 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a four-game set on Thursday.
Jeff Samardzija allowed four runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts over six- plus innings for Chicago.
"Jeff had really good life to his pitches, but his command didn't seem to be as good as he has been previously," said Cubs manager Rick Renteria.
Renteria also saw his leadoff hitter Emilio Bonifacio exit in the first inning with a right rib cage injury and he could be headed to the disabled list. Bonifacio has cooled off a bit from his hot start to the year and is hitting .266 with 13 stolen bases.
Jake Arrieta will toe the rubber tonight for Chicago and has allowed more than one earned run in just two of his seven starts this year.
Arrieta missed the first month of the season due to right shoulder tightness, but has managed to log a season-high six innings of working three of his last four outings. That includes Sunday's no-decision versus Miami as he gave up three hits and fanned seven over a scoreless outing.
Arrieta is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA on the year and the 28-year-old righty has split two previous starts against the Phillies. Though he does have an 8.44 EA against them, he held the Phils to a single run over 6 2/3 innings in a victory in Chicago last September.
The Phillies won two of three in Chicago in early April and have won eight of the last 12 meetings.
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