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. Vapormax 97 Black Reflect . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Air Vapormax Clearance . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. http://www.vapormaxcheapoutlet.com/clearance-vapormax-plus.html . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Moon Landing . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Vapormax Plus Black Cheap . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. LOS ANGELES -- Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder could have been excused for looking ahead to a momentous visit to Golden State and a reunion with Kevin Durant looming Thursday night.Instead, Westbrook added another gutsy performance to his incredible start to his first season as the main man.Westbrook hit a jumper with 18.7 seconds left to finish with 35 points, and the Thunder remained unbeaten with an 85-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.Westbrook added six rebounds and five assists for the Thunder, who surged in the final minutes of a tight meeting between Western Conference contenders. Although he wasnt near a triple-double for the first time this season, the ferocious point guard carried the Thunder down the stretch, scoring their final six points and making a key hustle play in the last minute.Thats the only way I know how to get it, Westbrook said. Nothing was ever given to me growing up, and I always had to find ways to get it. ... I play every game like its my last. I play every game the same, always, like Ive been saying for years. Regardless of who we play, Im going to play the same way.Westbrook had triple-doubles in the Thunders last two games, and was one assist shy of another in their opener. He mostly concentrated on scoring in his hometown, delivering a spectacular dunk in the third quarter while going 14 for 30 in 31 minutes.Hes been great, Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said. Just being around him and seeing his commitment to his teammates, his leadership and his competitive fire rubbing off on his teammates, its been great to watch. What hes doing statistically is amazing, but as a coach, Ive been impressed with his leadership.Chris Paul had 15 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Clippers, who hit just one shot in a 5 1/2-minute span late in the fourth quarter. Blake Griffin scored 10 of his 14 points in the third quarter, but none in the fouurth.ddddddddddddThe most frustrating part for me (is) the turnovers especially, said Paul, who made three of his five turnovers in the fourth quarter. My job is to orchestrate the offense, and I had some terrible turnovers down the stretch.TIP-INSThunder: Alex Abrines only played the final 12.3 seconds of the first half, but he hit a 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left to stake OKC to a 49-41 lead. ... Victor Oladipos nine points were the second-most by an Oklahoma City player.Clippers: LAs early-season struggles from the 3-point line continued in the first half when the Clippers went 3 for 14, including 1 for 7 by the starters. ... Marreese Speights had 14 points.BIG FINISHWestbrooks layup put the Thunder up 81-78 with 2:17 left, and he converted Jamal Crawfords turnover into a dunk 66 seconds later. J.J. Redick hit a 3-pointer to trim Oklahoma Citys lead to two points, but Westbrook hit a 17-footer to essentially seal it.RUSS BALLWestbrook averaged 38.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists in a spectacular three-game start to the Thunders post-Durant season. He became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1982 to start a season with triple-doubles in two of the first three gamesWestbrooks numbers were down against the Clippers in a defense-minded game featuring poor shooting by both sides. He had 16 points, four assists and two rebounds in the first half.NEW GUYJerami Grant made his Thunder debut one day after they acquired him from Philadelphia in a trade for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected draft pick. The third-year forward from Syracuse came off the bench in the second quarter and eventually finished with six points in 18 minutes.UP NEXTThunder: At Golden State on Thursday to complete a two-game California road trip.Clippers: A two-game road trip begins in Memphis on Friday night. ' ' '