CHICAGO -- Even though Jared Weaver still isnt pitching the way he wants to, he thinks hes now progressing instead of regressing.Thats something he couldnt say back in spring training when he was diagnosed with degenerative changes in the vertebrae of his neck.Its getting better, Weaver said following the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Every time I go out it feels different, but definitely my body is feeling a lot less restrictions.One day its all gonna click, he added.This wasnt the day, though.Kris Bryant hit his 28th home run, John Lackey outpitched his friend and former teammate, and Chicago won its eighth consecutive game.Willson Contreras also homered and Ben Zobrist added an RBI double for the major league-leading Cubs, who improved to 70-41.Los Angeles (49-63) dropped its fifth straight and fell into last place in the AL West.Kole Calhoun homered in the first inning, but that was all the offense the Angels produced. Lackey (9-7) allowed three hits over eight innings, and all six of his strikeouts were looking.He was really good, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Thats how he pitches. Hes aggressive. He went after them.Weaver (8-9) gave up four earned runs and another one that was unearned when he dropped a throw to first base for an error. He permitted eight hits in five innings.I dont think he pitched as poorly as his linescore indicates, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. We let some things get away from us a little bit. But a couple of mistakes he made and those guys hit it out.The matchup of veteran right-handers was as one-sided as their teams seasons in the opener of Chicagos 10-game homestand.The 37-year-old Lackey and 33-year-old Weaver were teammates a decade ago with the Angels. They had split their previous two meetings when Lackey pitched for Boston.Its still a little weird because I root for him when hes not facing us, Lackey said. Hes a good friend. I really respect the way hes still competing and still getting after it with stuff thats a little less than he used to have. But hes still grinding, still trying to help his club win.Calhoun struck first, sending Lackeys third pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first homer since June 25. Contreras tied it with a shot to left-center in the third.Weaver had the Cubs off balance early with his 83 mph fastball and 70 mph curve. But Chicago started to pounce the second time through the order, with Anthony Rizzo doubling in a two-run fourth and again in a two-run fifth.The second hit came after Bryant sent Weavers slider onto Waveland Avenue.Its one of those lineups where you cant really breathe while youre out there. Theres no leeway, Weaver said.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: New closer Cam Bedrosian was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right middle finger. RHP A.J. Achter was called up from Triple-A. . 1B C.J. Cron (hand) plans to take live batting practice in Arizona this week. . RHP Nick Tropeano will undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.SOTO ACTIVATEDAngels C Geovany Soto was activated from the 15-day DL following the game and C Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia said Soto will be in the lineup Wednesday night.CALL REVERSEDThe Cubs Dexter Fowler was ruled out after 3B Yunel Escobar had a foul pop knocked out of his glove by a fan in the fifth. Umpires initially ruled it no play before huddling and changing the call without a replay review.UP NEXTThe series concludes Wednesday night with Chicago RHP Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) returning from the bereavement list to face right-hander and former Cubs draft pick Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.23). Cheap Yeezys Sneakers For Sale . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. 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Cheap Yeezy Boost 550 . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The New England Patriots made it official on Sunday and listed All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski as inactive for Sunday nights opener against the Arizona Cardinals.Gronkowski did not make the trip because of a hamstring injury. The Patriots also did not bring starting left tackle Nate Solder (hamstring) and starting right guard Jonathan Cooper (foot).The only Arizona players inactive due to injury were backup outsider linebacker Kareem Martin and backup running back Stepfan Taylor, bothh with knee injuries.ddddddddddddlso inactive for the Patriots were defensive back Eric Rowe, running back D.J. Foster, linebacker Elandon Roberts and tight end Clay Harbor.Other inactives for the Cardinals were safety Marquis Christian, guard Cole Toner, defensive tackle Ed Stinson and nose tackle Xavier Williams.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '