CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs are dominating on the mound, making sparkling plays in the field and coming through with big hits at the plate.There is not much to criticize when a team is rolling along like this.Jason Hammel won his career-best fifth straight start, pitching four-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, and Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night for their season-high ninth straight win.The major league-leading Cubs matched their longest streak since Aug. 6-15 of last year and moved a season-best 30 games over .500 (71-41). They come into a four-game set against St. Louis at Wrigley Field with three straight series sweeps after consecutive victories over the Angels.Hammel (12-5) struck out six, walked two and helped himself at the plate when he singled and scored in the fifth against Ricky Nolasco to make it 2-0.Addison Russell made it 3-1 with a solo homer off JC Ramirez in the eighth.Dexter Fowler chipped in with two hits, including an RBI double. Anthony Rizzo drove in a run with a single, and the Cubs made several neat plays in the field on the way to their 12th win in 13 games.Ive never been on a team this good before, Hammel said. Its kind of silly to go out and watch the guys, how consistent they are. You know something goods going to happen.One sour note for the Cubs. They lost reliever Pedro Strop to a left knee injury late in the game.The Angels, last in the AL West, matched a season high with their sixth straight loss. And with their next four games at AL Central leader Cleveland, the schedule doesnt get much easier.Nolasco (4-9) was a tough-luck loser, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked one in his second start since the Angels acquired him in a trade from Minnesota on Aug. 1.Theyre right at the top with anybody, Nolasco said. Theyre a good team. Obviously there are no breaks in there and theyve got some pretty good guys at the top of the order. Anytime youve got Kris Bryant hitting second, it shows you a lot right there what kind of lineup theyve got.Strop came on in the eighth for Chicago and had to be helped off the field when he tried to make a play on Yunel Escobars leadoff tapper down the third base line. Strop slid in front of third baseman Javier Baez and his left leg appeared to bend awkwardly.He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday.Travis Wood then gave up a double to Kole Calhoun, putting runners on second and third. Albert Pujols drove in a run with a sharp grounder to second after Carl Edwards Jr. struck out Mike Trout, and Andrelton Simmons grounded out to shortstop to end the rally.Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save in five chances since the Cubs got him in a trade with the New York Yankees last month.Were getting great starting pitching, manager Joe Maddon said. Were getting timely hitting and extraordinary defense. Thats a nice formula to win at any level.LA STELLA UPDATEMaddon said he had no update on INF Tommy La Stella, who has refused to report to Triple-A Iowa after being optioned to the minors nearly two weeks ago. La Stella, who was placed on the temporary inactive list Tuesday, told ESPN.com that hes contemplating retirement and doesnt want to play for another team.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: RHP Garrett Richards, out for the season with a torn elbow ligament, was in good spirits after a pregame workout. Hes scheduled to have an imaging test Monday to determine if he can start playing catch. Richards is trying to avoid Tommy John surgery. I feel zero discomfort in my arm, he said.Cubs: Reliever Hector Rondon (triceps) remained sidelined, Maddon expects him to be available in a few days.UP NEXTAngels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (3-7, 5.27 ERA) makes his first start since July 1 as Los Angeles takes on RHP Corey Kluber (11-8, 3.22) and the Indians.Cubs: LHP Jon Lester (12-4, 2.93) tries to win his third straight start and keep the Cubs win streak going against RHP Carlos Martinez (10-7, 3.29) and the Cardinals. Cheap Air Max From China . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Air Max Outlet . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. https://www.airmaxchina.us/ . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Cheap Air Max . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Air Max From China . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. U.S. womens national team star Carli Lloyd was at ESPNs headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, Wednesday to promote her new book When Nobody Was Watching: My Hard-Fought Journey to the Top of the Soccer World. espnW asked the teams No. 10 and captain 10 things we didnt know about her. We learned a lot. This has been edited for length.1. What is one word you would use to describe yourself? Relentless. But if you asked my fiance, he might say crazy.2. What is the song you cant stop listening to right now? Still Falling for You by Ellie Goulding.3. What are you currently watching on Netflix? Narcos, Season 2. I just finished The Night Of on HBO.4. What is your favorite sports movie of all time? For Love of the Game. Kevin Costner. I cried.5. What is one thing youve never done before that might surprise people? I cant wink.6. What is your go-to karaoke song??I can tell you the last one I did. Like a Virgin by Madonna.7. If you could have any three celebrities oover for dinner, living or deceased, who would they be? Melissa McCarthy, Jason Day and Zach Galifianakis.dddddddddddd8. What was your AIM screen name? Pita10CL9. If you werent a professional athlete, what would your occupation be? An FBI agent. I love uncovering things. I like the investigation.10. Whats been your favorite fan moment or interaction? I went to Whole Foods after practice once, and our practice jerseys have our numbers on them. A guy asked me, Are you a big [Lionel] Messi fan? I could tell by the number. I told him it was my number too. He had no idea who I was.Also, I sat next to someone on a plane who was telling me, Theres a really good soccer player from New Jersey -- one of the best in the world. He kept describing me to me and had no clue. I told him, I think thats me... Then he took a bunch of selfies of us.? ' ' '