ATLANTA -- After Cubs closer Daniel Palencia landed on the injured list due to a shoulder injury earlier this week, manager Craig Counsell said this was not a situation where other relievers needed to step up. The way Counsell viewed things, the group just had to move forward with the same mentality.

In a 3-2 win over the Braves on Wednesday night at Truist Park, the Cubs’ bullpen covered 14 outs behind Jameson Taillon in his first outing back from the 15-day IL. Counsell used Brad Keller for a high-leverage appearance in the eighth inning, and he answered the bell. For the ninth, veteran Andrew Kittredge finished the job to notch the save.

With the win, the Cubs pulled within 5 1/2 games of the National League Central-leading Brewers .

After Braves lefty Chris Sale struck out eig

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