Javier Assad continues to shine for Cubs

CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Cubs right-hander Javier Assad continues to move his way toward All-Star status.

Assad helped the Cubs join the Brewers at the top of the National League Central standings, pitching six shutout innings in the 5-0 win over Milwaukee on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Assad has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his seven starts, lowering his season ERA to 1.66. He trails only left-hander Shota Imanaga, who owns an 0.78 ERA this season.

“I think you call it pitch ability, " Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "He just has weapons that don't let the hitter get comfortable ever. Right now, he is using those weapons very, very well. The two-seam fastball is a very good pitch for him, but he has enough other good pitches to keep the hitters off balance."

Assad became the first Mexican-born pitcher to start for the Cubs on Cinco de Mayo. He continued a streak of allowing two runs or fewer now in a dozen straight starts.

"I am very happy with the way things are going for me right now,” Assad said. "Everything seems to be working right now. I am thankful for being able to go out and pitch. The team is playing so well behind me. We have such a great defense. That gives the pitchers so much confidence because we are playing incredibly defensively."

By taking two out of three from the Brewers in Chicago, the Cubs pushed their home series record to 4-0-1.

The Cubs have benefitted from strong starting pitching this season. In the last 21 games, the Cubs starting pitchers have an ERA of 2.61.

"It definitely helps you go out there and pitch well when you can feed off of each other's success,” Assad said. "We have a great group of pitchers in the rotation and bullpen as well. It's fun to go out there and continue to feed off of each other."

Assad escaped early trouble in the first inning courtesy of a play by shortstop Dansby Swanson deep in the hole, which forced the Brewers to strand a runner at third base. Assad limited Milwaukee’s bats to just four hits while the Cubs’ bullpen held strong to finish out the game.

Though the Cubs have struggled defensively early on this season, Assad was the beneficiary of Gold Glove-caliber play behind him.

"The play in the first by Dansby is a big play," Counsell said. "You keep runs off the board and don't feel like you are playing from behind. They have a good pitcher on the mound and the wind is blowing in. That was a big play."

Said center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong: “When Javier pitches, the outfielders feel almost like we have a day off with that two-seamer he throws inducing so many ground balls."

Assad began the season working out of the Cubs’ bullpen but injuries forced him back into the rotation. Ace Justin Steele (hamstring) went down in the team’s opening game, Jameson Taillon (back) opened the season on the injured list, while Jordan Wicks (forearm) and Kyle Hendricks (back) remain on the shelf.

The Cubs have leaned on Assad’s consistency during a potentially challenging early-season stretch. He has been key in this team’s run to the top of the division.

“Javier has been great all year," Swanson said. "He is able to mix and match pitches so well while keeping the ball in and around the strike zone. He helps keep the defense on our toes. We were able to make some pretty good plays behind him today."