By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Jason Heyward (right) of the Chicago Cubs exults with first base coach Brandon Hyde (16) after hitting a 13th inning liner to score Anthony Rizzo for the gamer on Sunday at Wrigley to cap a 3-1 series win over the San Francisco Giants

Jason Heyward is new to the Chicago Cubs, but he is quickly becoming a hero on the North Side of Chicago.

Heyward tied up the game with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning and his base hit in the bottom of the 13th inning gave the Cubs a thrilling 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.

Anthony Rizzo led off the bottom of the 13th inning with a single off of eventual losing pitcher Matt Reynolds, advanced to second on a Ben Zobrist groundout. After Addison Russell was walked intentionally, Heyward ended the game with a single to score Rizzo.

The Cubs lead in the National League Central is an amazing 16.5 games over their longtime rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, while the Giants lead over the Cardinals for the top spot in the wild card race was lowered to just 1.5 games.

Things were going good for the Giants, as they looked to split the weekend series against the Cubs, especially with a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Russell led off the inning with a double, went to third on a Santiago Casilla wild pitch and tied up the game when Heyward single him in.

Johnny Cueto gave up five hits in seven innings of work.

Ehire Adrianza put down a perfect sacrifice bunt that scored Eduardo Nunez in the top of the third inning, who doubled, stole third and broke for home on Adrianza’s bunt.

Nunez drove in the other Giants run in the game in the top of the second inning, as he drove in Hunter Pence, who reached on a Heyward two-base error.

In losing three of the four games in the series, the Giants were able to get 14 hits, while they were unable to score in 16 innings against the Cubs bullpen.

Joe Nathan made his first appearance for the Giants since 2003, and pitched a perfect 12th inning.