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Deadspin | Alex Bowman (vertigo) cleared to return at Bristol  Feb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday after a bout with vertigo, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.  Bowman, 32, has not driven the No. 48 Chevrolet since March 1 at Circuit of The Americas, where he first felt the symptoms and did not finish. He missed the past four races but now has been medically cleared, the team said.  “We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a news release. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”  Before a medical evaluation, Bowman drove on a road course in North Carolina, took part in a pit practice and went through simulator testing.   Bowman said he is “grateful for the support” he has received from Hendrick Motorsports, his sponsor, fans and the medical team and is looking forward to driving Sunday in the Food City 500.  “It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” he said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”  Bowman has eight NASCAR Cup Series career wins and currently sits in 36th place in the Cup standings. He is in his ninth full-time season with the Hendrick team, joining upon the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the 2017 season.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Alex #Bowman #vertigo #cleared #return #Bristol

Deadspin | Alex Bowman (vertigo) cleared to return at Bristol
Deadspin | Alex Bowman (vertigo) cleared to return at Bristol  Feb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday after a bout with vertigo, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.  Bowman, 32, has not driven the No. 48 Chevrolet since March 1 at Circuit of The Americas, where he first felt the symptoms and did not finish. He missed the past four races but now has been medically cleared, the team said.  “We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a news release. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”  Before a medical evaluation, Bowman drove on a road course in North Carolina, took part in a pit practice and went through simulator testing.   Bowman said he is “grateful for the support” he has received from Hendrick Motorsports, his sponsor, fans and the medical team and is looking forward to driving Sunday in the Food City 500.  “It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” he said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”  Bowman has eight NASCAR Cup Series career wins and currently sits in 36th place in the Cup standings. He is in his ninth full-time season with the Hendrick team, joining upon the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the 2017 season.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Alex #Bowman #vertigo #cleared #return #BristolFeb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday after a bout with vertigo, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.

Bowman, 32, has not driven the No. 48 Chevrolet since March 1 at Circuit of The Americas, where he first felt the symptoms and did not finish. He missed the past four races but now has been medically cleared, the team said.

“We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a news release. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”


Before a medical evaluation, Bowman drove on a road course in North Carolina, took part in a pit practice and went through simulator testing.

Bowman said he is “grateful for the support” he has received from Hendrick Motorsports, his sponsor, fans and the medical team and is looking forward to driving Sunday in the Food City 500.

“It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” he said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”

Bowman has eight NASCAR Cup Series career wins and currently sits in 36th place in the Cup standings. He is in his ninth full-time season with the Hendrick team, joining upon the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the 2017 season.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Alex #Bowman #vertigo #cleared #return #Bristol

Feb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday after a bout with vertigo, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.

Bowman, 32, has not driven the No. 48 Chevrolet since March 1 at Circuit of The Americas, where he first felt the symptoms and did not finish. He missed the past four races but now has been medically cleared, the team said.

“We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a news release. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”

Before a medical evaluation, Bowman drove on a road course in North Carolina, took part in a pit practice and went through simulator testing.

Bowman said he is “grateful for the support” he has received from Hendrick Motorsports, his sponsor, fans and the medical team and is looking forward to driving Sunday in the Food City 500.

“It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” he said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”

Bowman has eight NASCAR Cup Series career wins and currently sits in 36th place in the Cup standings. He is in his ninth full-time season with the Hendrick team, joining upon the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the 2017 season.

–Field Level Media

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India loses to Indonesia in Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I <div id="content-body-70844456" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India’s hopes of advancing to the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs suffered a blow as it lost 0-3 to Indonesia in the Asia/Oceania Group I contest in New Delhi on Thursday.</p><p>Janice Tjen, the highest-ranked player here, broke no sweat in her 6-2, 6-1 win against Sahaja Yamalapalli in 58 minutes to seal the tie after Vaishnavi Adkar went down fighting to Priska Madelyn Nugroho 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3 in the first match.</p><p>The World No. 41 cruised home in the opening set, breaking Sahaja in the first game and taking a 3-1 lead. Though the Indian managed to hold serve for the only time in the set, Janice racked up points to win 6-2 in just 31 minutes.</p><p>In the second, Sahaja was able to win just a solitary game, unable to handle her opponent’s powerful shots. The 23-year-old Indonesian had won her maiden singles title at the Chennai Open last year.</p><p>Janice returned for the doubles match with the experienced Aldila Sutjiadi as partner. The duo defeated Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale 6-3, 7-6(4), handing the Indian pair its first reverse of the week.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/qckb1l/article70844469.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/32_TENNIS_09_04_DELHI.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/qckb1l/article70844469.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/32_TENNIS_09_04_DELHI.jpg" alt="India’s Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina celebrate a point. The Indonesian pair of Janice and Sutjiadi defeated the Indians in the doubles match." title="India’s Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina celebrate a point. The Indonesian pair of Janice and Sutjiadi defeated the Indians in the doubles match." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> India’s Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina celebrate a point. The Indonesian pair of Janice and Sutjiadi defeated the Indians in the doubles match. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> India’s Rutuja Bhosale and Ankita Raina celebrate a point. The Indonesian pair of Janice and Sutjiadi defeated the Indians in the doubles match. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR </p></div><p>Earlier, Vaishnavi battled hard against Priska. She rallied from 3-5, 15-40 down in the first set and saved three set points. Vaishnavi, who mixed her shots well, broke the Indonesian to pull level 5-5 and took the set to a tie-breaker before winning it 7-3.</p><p>The second set went Priska’s way, again in the tie-breaker.</p><p>In the decider, a visibly fatigued Vaishnavi faltered, netting a double-fisted backhand after a three-hour six-minute marathon.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> The results: </h5><p> Indonesia bt India 3-0 [Priska Madelyn Nugroho bt Vaishnavi Adkar 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3; Janice Tjen bt Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-2, 6-1; Aldila Sutjiadi & Janice Tjen bt Rutuja Bhosale & Ankita Raina 6-3, 7-6(4)]. </p><p> Thailand bt Mongolia 3-0 [Thasaporn Naklo bt Anu-Vjin Gantor 6-1, 6-0; Patcharin Cheapchandej bt Khongorzul Aldarkhishig 6-1, 6-0; Peangtarn Plipuech & Kamonwan Yodpetch bt Jargal Altansarnai & Oyungerel Khasbaatar 6-0, 6-1]. </p><p> Korea bt New Zealand 3-0 [Dayeon Back bt Valentina Ivanov 7-5, 6-3; Sohyun Park bt Monique Barry 6-0, 6-1; Dayeon Back & Eunhye Lee bt Aishi Das & Valentina Ivanov 6-3, 3-6, [10-8]]. </p></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #India #loses #Indonesia #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #AsiaOceania #Group

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Ram Baboo, Manju Rani to lead Indian team for Race Walk World Team C’ships in Brazil <div id="content-body-70844430" itemprop="articleBody"><p>A 12-member Indian squad, led by Ram Baboo and Manju Rani, will compete in the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 12.</p><p>The other members of the Indian team are Sandeep Kumar, Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh among men, and Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina among women.</p><p>The athletes are leaving for Brazil on Thursday night after their visas were cleared late in the evening.</p><p>“Yes, the team is leaving for Brazil tonight. The athletes have got their visas cleared,” a top official of the Athletics Federation on India (AFI) said.</p><p>In this edition, there are no 20km and 35km race walking events. They are replaced by a new programme featuring the half marathon and marathon as well as 10km event for U20.</p><p>In addition to competing as individuals, athletes also represent their nation, chasing team titles across the events.</p><p>Each nation enters a small group of walkers in a race. In senior competitions, a team can include up to five athletes, but only the top three finishers actually count towards the team score.</p><p>To be eligible for the team result, a country must have three finishers to make up a scoring team. If they do not, those athletes still count in the individual race, but the team is effectively out of contention.</p><p>The team score is the sum of the finishing positions of the three scoring athletes.</p><p>In junior events, the top two finishers of each country count towards the team score.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> The Indian team </h5><p><b>Men’s Marathon Race Walk: </b>Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar </p><p><b>Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk: </b>Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh </p><p><b>Women’s Marathon Race Walk: </b>Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Manju Rani </p><p><b>Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk:</b> Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina. </p><h5 class="sub-title"/></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Ram #Baboo #Manju #Rani #lead #Indian #team #Race #Walk #World #Team #Cships #Brazil

Deadspin | Four-star 2027 QB prospect Wonderful Monds IV commits to Notre Dame  Vero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.   Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.  Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.  His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.   At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.   With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.  Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.  Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #DameVero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.

Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.

Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.

His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.


At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.

With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.

Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.

Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #Dame">Deadspin | Four-star 2027 QB prospect Wonderful Monds IV commits to Notre Dame  Vero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.   Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.  Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.  His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.   At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.   With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.  Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.  Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #Dame

Deadspin | Cubs edge D-backs to pull within half-game of first  May 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images   Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.  Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.  Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.  Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.  Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.  Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).  Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.   Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.  Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.  Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.  Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.  Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.  Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgameMay 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.

Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.

Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.

Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.

Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.

Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).


Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.

Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.

Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.

Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.

Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.

Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgame">Deadspin | Cubs edge D-backs to pull within half-game of first  May 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images   Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.  Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.  Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.  Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.  Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.  Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).  Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.   Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.  Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.  Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.  Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.  Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.  Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgame

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