By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-It looks like the day off did not help break the San Francisco Giants from recent rut against the National League Central.

Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning for the only runs that the Chicago Cubs would need on their way to a hard fought 8-5 victory over the Giants before a crowd of 41,595, the 387th consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

This is the third straight loss for the Giants, and they have lost five out of their last six games overall.

Jake Arrieta continued his masterful season, as he went six innings, giving up one run, while allowing scattering four hits, walking just one and striking out eight on his way to improving his record to 16-6 on the season.

On the other hand, it was a short night for Matt Cain, who lasted just five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits, walking two, striking out three and giving two home runs on his way to seeing his record fall to 2-4 on the season.

Miguel Montero hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning that lengthened the Cubs lead, and they were far from done.

Castro then added a double, and then scored when Tommy La Stella hit a single for the Cubs third run of the inning.

With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Castro picked up his third hit of the night, as he hit his sixth home run of the season off of Yusmeiro Petit.

Arrieta that got in the act following Castro’s home run, as he doubled down the left field line, after La Stella grounded out for the second out of the inning, Dexter Fowler reached on a fielding error by Brandon Crawford that scored Arrieta from third base.

The Giants finally got to Arrieta in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Kelby Tomlinson singled, advanced to second on a Nori Aoki groundout, moved an additional 90 feet on a Matt Duffy fielders choice when Arrieta’s throw went into centerfield. Tomlinson then scored on a zany play that saw the ball go off Anthony Rizzo’s glove at first base, and bounce to La Stella at second, who threw back to Rizzo to get Brandon Belt. Buster Posey then extended the inning, as he singled to left; however Arrieta got Crawford to strikeout swinging to end the inning.

Things got very interesting in the bottom of the eighth inning, as the Giants got four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andrew Susac got the big hit of the inning, as he hit a bases clearing double that scored Juan Perez, Marlon Byrd and Gregor Blanco. Brandon Belt scored the first run of the inning on a single after he reached on a fielders choice that retired Duffy at second base. Duffy led off the inning with his second hit of the game.

NOTES: Since leaving the Bay Area on August 16, Hunter Pence was placed on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, Chris Heston was optioned to Sacramento. Byrd was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds. Mike Leake was activated from the disabled list, as was Aoki and today Jeremy Affeldt was placed on the disabled list after suffering a knee injury on the team’s off day at his home in Spokane, WA. Michael Broadway was recalled from Sacramento to take Affeldt’s place on the roster.

Jake Peavy takes the mound on Wednesday, while the Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound.