The Cubs are one win away from returning to the NLCS for a second consecutive season.

It was another party in Wrigley Field tonight as the Cubs defeated the Giants 5-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series.

Wood, a former starter who switched to relief roles, has been relied on by Cubs manager Joe Maddon, with 77 appearances in the regular season.

"Obviously, everything's a little different when you pitched in one place for so long and then have to go do it on the other side", he said.

The Giants have vanquished 11 consecutive post-season foes, but they have never faced a force like these Cubs. "That's just a given".

The deal with the Orioles became one of the defining moments that helped make the Cubs one of the best teams in the majors the past two years, bringing them 2015 NL Cy Young Award victor Jake Arrieta and reliever Pedro Strop. As was the case in his previous Wrigley Field start in September, Samardzija was no mystery to Cubs hitters, touched for six hits and four runs in just two innings. Wood batted for himself in the bottom of the inning and he launched one into the left-field bleachers. His last run allowed in the playoffs was a solo homer by Salvador Perez the seventh inning of Game 1 of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.

But then he took the liner, and, with the pitcher's spot due up second in the bottom half of the inning, Maddon went to Travis Wood. Four more relievers completed Chicago's second straight six-hitter, with Aroldis Chapman throwing 12 of 16 pitches at 100 miles per hour and up for his second consecutive save. But the bullpen that includes every-other-day Wood has more than held up its end. Giants manager Bruce Bochy must have come to the same conclusion because he pulled his starting pitcher after two innings - the shortest outing in Samardzija's career.

Chicago Cubs' Travis Wood became the first relief pitcher since 1924 to hit a home run in the postseason.

Gregor Blanco hit an RBI double and Brandon Belt added a sacrifice fly in San Francisco's two-run third, but that was it for the Giants in another sluggish performance at the plate.

"I just knew the feeling in my fastball wasn't there", Hendricks said about the warm-up tosses he made.

Vote raising New Jersey gas tax cents delayed
And in the Assembly, only a simple majority would be required for final passage. "The Assembly is rock-solid", Greenwald said. The only state with a lower gas tax than New Jersey is Alaska, according to the American Petroleum Institute .

Hendricks said his arm "feels pretty good right now" and he hopes to be ready in a few days after X-rays showed no structural damage.

The right-hander tried a few warmup pitches, and after a lengthy conversation with trainers and Maddon, he exited the game.

"He told me if there's anything at all, he didn't want me in there", Hendricks said.

SEEN - Actor and comedian Bill Murray was back cheering on the Cubs for the second night in a row.

Former Cubs closer Lee Smith threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and Chicago native and former WWE star CM Punk delivered the "Play Ball!" call before the game.

It took an error by Scott Rolen in the 10th inning of Game 3 for the Giants' luck to turn.

Hendricks had been exceptional at home this season, going 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Wrigley Field. The top six hitters in the Cubs' order went 1-for-18 in the game, with Kris Bryant registering that group's only hit. The stretch included a bases-loaded single by counterpart Kyle Hendricks to give the Cubs an early three-run cushion. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

GAME POSTPONED: Game 2 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and Nationals in Washington was postponed because of heavy rain that intensified as Hurricane Matthew moved up the coast.

They expected to struggle against Game 1 starter Jon Lester, who would be the best postseason pitcher of his generation if Bumgarner had made a decision to take up another profession. He led Major League Baseball with a 2.13 ERA and finished second with a 0.98 WHIP during the regular season.