The Rundown: Arrieta Records 11th Straight Quality Start as Cubs Win Again, Soler Has Tight Calf, McKinney Placed on DL

Yesterday’s game wasn’t exactly pretty, but the result was right. The Cubs won…again.

Saturday’s 6-3 win over the White Sox marked the Cubs’ ninth win in a row, and they’ve won 15 out of 16. This is one of the hottest stretches ever for the Cubs. It’s pretty remarkable, what they’re doing right now, and it almost doesn’t seem real. The Cubs just don’t play like this, do they?

Starter Jake Arrieta was on top of his game once again, recording this 11th quality start in a row. He went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs (two earned). He struck out five. The Cubs’ core offensive players all had solid nights — Dexter Fowler, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler and Addison Russell all collected two hits.

Reaching 10 in a row won’t be easy, as the Cubs today go up against one of the league’s best, Chris Sale. However, at this point I don’t think the Cubs are going to be intimidated by anyone. I’m feeling another win.

Dodging beer cans

A bright fan at U.S. Cellular Field last night decided to throw a beer can at Kyle Schwarber while he chased down a double in the left field corner.

“A tallboy,” Schwarber told Jess Rogers. “And it wasn’t even drunk all the way.

Defintely not the best decision by the fan, but I’m glad Schwarber is able to have a sense of humor about it.

Soler’s calf

After sitting on Friday, Jorge Soler returned to the lineup yesterday.

However, instead of playing the outfield, he served as the designated hitter due to a tight calf. Doesn’t sound too serious, as Joe Maddon said Soler likely will be back in the outfield today.

Any time Soler’s name is mentioned along with some sort of leg injury, I get a little nervous. Hopefully this is nothing to worry about.

Other notes

* Tennessee Smokies outfielder Billy McKinney has been placed on the disabled list. McKinney, who was acquired last year in the Jeff Samardzija/Jason Hammel deal with Oakland, is one of the Cubs’ more promising outfield prospects.