Bellinger hits two HRs as the Cubs outrun the Royals

CHICAGO — Cody Bellinger pitched two runs and Justin Steele hit a solid six innings as the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday.

The Cubs (63-59) entered the game 3 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who led the NL Central after a divisional slump on Friday.

Bellinger hit two home runs to opposite field in the first three innings as the Cubs took a 4-1 lead. His twenty home runs in 2023 are the most in a season since he was named MVP in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bellinger finished 3-2 with four RBIs and two runs scored.

Steele (14-3) won his fifth game in six decisions, allowing two runs on six hits. Adebert Zoulay had made 16 saves in 17 chances this season.

Kansas City (40-85) scored just two runs in the first six innings before Bobby Witt Jr. drove in Drew Witts to make it 6-3 in the seventh inning. Thanks to a brace from Kyle Isbell, Venezuela’s Salvador Pérez scored eighth in the final round of the day.

For the Royals, Venezuela’s Salvador Pérez hit it 3-2 with two runs, and Freddy Firmin made it 4-1 with an RBI. Cuban Dayron Blanco 3-1.