CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo was annoyed as he faced a sea of microphones before the Chicago Cubs first game following the All-Star break.The only people that are panicking about this team is the media, Rizzo said. Its been pretty negative all the comments coming out of everyones mouth, except in this clubhouse.A few hours later, the Cubs put together one of their best games of the season.Kyle Hendricks and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Addison Russell had a two-run single to key a five-run sixth inning, and the Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Friday in a matchup of slumping division leaders.We pitched and really played defense today, manager Joe Maddon said. It was outstanding.The Cubs won for the seventh time in 22 games, while the Rangers lost their eighth in 10 games thanks to a rough sixth that included Prince Fielders throwing error.As Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester have struggled lately, Hendricks (8-6) has remained sharp. The former Rangers draft pick allowed three hits in six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.41.Only stars Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner have lower ERAs in the majors.Kyles one of the best pitchers in the National League right now and nobody is talking about it, Maddon said.Carl Edwards Jr. struck out two in a perfect seventh and Travis Wood, Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm combined for the final six outs in Chicagos eighth shutout.Russells bases-loaded hit in the sixth was followed by pinch-hitter Matt Szczurs two-run single against Martin Perez (7-6).One of the runs was unearned after Fielder fired a throw high and wide of third in a rare start at first base due to interleague play.The sixth inning got away from us, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. I felt like Martin was still making good pitches, still had life on his pitches. We just didnt help him out.The Cubs, who entered percentage points ahead of Texas for the second-best record in the majors behind San Francisco, had seven hits on an unseasonably cool, drizzly day with the wind blowing in.The breeze kept Rizzos drive to right in the park in the sixth that helped load the bases and extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Two batters later Russell came through.Took a few days off and came back and felt great, Russell said.Albert Almora Jr. added two fine catches in center field, Ben Zobrist made a nifty play at third and catcher Willson Contreras threw out Rougned Odor stealing second.We played poorly the last three weeks or so and showed our vulnerability and humanity as a team, Cubs president Theo Epstein said. In the long run that might be a good thing because it means we know how hard we have to work and how well we have to play to get where we want to go.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: LHP Jake Diekman, who cut his left index finger on a beer mug earlier this month in Boston, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Its retroactive to July 6. ... RHP Keone Kela (elbow) was activated. ... LF Shin-Soo Choo (back) was out of the lineup. Ryan Rua replaced him, while Odor led off.Cubs: OF Dexter Fowler (hamstring) isnt expected back before the end of next week. ... C David Ross was activated off the seven-day concussion list. ... RHP Trevor Cahill (right knee tendinitis) was placed on the 15-day DL. ... OF Jorge Soler (hamstring) could start a rehab assignment soon. ... RHP Adam Warren returned to the bullpen, but could make another spot start.PHONES BUSYEpstein said they had a few things going on, but didnt get anything done regarding trades during the All-Star break. The Cubs are seeking bullpen help, while the Rangers want starting pitching.PEREZS HITPerez recorded his first major league hit with a swinging bunt toward third base in the second. He had been 0 for 9. Perez was charged with five runs in 5 2/3 innings.NICE LOOKFormer Cubs and Rangers pitcher Ryan Dempster sported giant glasses and a white wig in an impressive Harry Caray impersonation while leading the crowd during the seventh inning stretch.UP NEXTRangers RHP Yu Darvish (2-0, 2.87 ERA) returns from the disabled list and starts Saturday against Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (7-5, 3.46). Darvish is expected to throw 85-90 pitches. Cheap Adidas Springblade . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Cheap Yeezys Real .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/nmd-shoes-mens-deals.html . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Cheap Adidas Nmd Human Race China .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Yeezy Boost 350 China Wholesale . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. TORONTO --The Seattle Mariners won the opener of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Friday night behind the dominant pitching of James Paxton.The left-hander struck out nine in seven innings and held the Blue Jays to three hits, including a home run by Michael Saunders.Seattle sends out another hot pitcher Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series in Hisashi Iwakuma (10-6, 4.01 ERA), who is going for his fifth consecutive win.The right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings while surrendering two hits and a walk while striking out eight on July 16 against the Houston Astros. He is 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his past four starts and is 9-2 with a 3.75 ERA in his past 11 outings.This will be his fourth career start (fifth appearance) against Toronto. He is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA against the Blue Jays. He is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA in two games at Rogers Centre, including one start.Iwakuma faces right-hander R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.11). The knuckleballer took the loss against the Oakland Athletics on July 16, allowing five runs on five hits in six innings as the Blue Jays fell 5-4. Overall, he is 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA in his past 10 starts after overcoming his usual slow start.In 13 career games (five starts) against Seattle, Dickey is 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA.Both teams have had to juggle their lineups lately. The Mariners Shawn OMalley and Luis Sardinas will be sharing shortstop while regular shortstop Ketel Marte recovers from mononucleosis.Does it affect us? Yes, Seattle manager Scott Servais admitted. Hes been our regular shortstop. But Sardinas is up here with OMalley, and those two will mix and match. Theyll share the duties. I dont want to put too much on one guy. I think OMalley has done a nice job for us in the three games that hes filled in. Again, were not looking for the spectacular. Make the routine play and battle at the plate.ddddddddddddOMalley got the start Friday night and was 1-for-4.Toronto catcher Josh Thole, usually is the personal receiver for Dickey, was pressed into service Friday night after regular catcher Russell Martin suffered a twisted left knee after becoming lightheaded in a sauna Thursday, an off day in the schedule. He said he is hoping to return Sunday but meanwhile, the Blue Jays are restricted with what they can do. With Martin out they cannot run or hit for Thole, to say nothing of what they might do in the case of an injury.An MRI of the knee on Friday revealed no structural damage.Martin said he went to the sauna without having eaten much. He stayed in a bit too long and felt woozy, so he took a cold shower. After a minute in the shower, he passed out.The next thing I know Im on the ground, Martin said before the game Friday. I had dropped the shower hose on my face and Im on the ground ... I woke up and I had the shower curtain half on my body.He also banged his head. The small bump on his head is no problem but the knee is still sore.Its probably going to be sore, but Ive played through soreness before, Martin said. Knowing that theres no structural damage kind of puts my mind at ease. Its just going to be one of those years where I have to grind it out.If Martin needs more than a couple of days, the Blue Jays have little catching depth in their system and may have to look outside for help behind the plate.Toronto infielder Darwin Barney was in left field Friday for the second straight game, his first two career games in the outfield. Ezequiel Carrera, who has been resting a sore Achilles tendon, was used as a pinch-hitter Friday and could return Saturday. ' ' '