The Chicago Cubs kept their torrid start to the season going this week as they went a combined 4-2 in Philadelphia and Atlanta, finishing the week with a 13-2 victory against the Braves on Sunday.

The Cubs still hold the best record in baseball at 43-18, five games over the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers, and have maintained a nine-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

Chicago has used a combination of stellar pitching, defense and hitting as they have the best run differential (+162) and best team ERA (2.65) in the MLB. Prior to their eight errors posted this weekend against the Braves, the Cubs’ defense had been dynamite, going eight straight games without committing an error. Manager Joe Maddon didn’t seem too worried about the defensive miscues displayed over the weekend after Sunday’s game.

“Listen, I have nothing to complain about,” Maddon said. “I have been on a team with this kind of record in the minor leagues. Never in the majors.”

Another historic streak ended recently as pitcher Jake Arrieta took his first loss of the season and first in a regular season game since July 25 of last season. This ended a streak in which Arrieta had won 25 straight decisions for the Cubs.

“Getting him away from that streak will let him chill a little bit,” Maddon said. “It might be a good thing in a way. It’s probably better mentally to be at the front part of [the streak] then the back part of [the streak].”

The Cubs made a few roster moves last week, sending outfielder Jorge Soler and infielder Tommy La Stella to the 15-day disabled list and calling up 2012 first-round draft pick Albert Almora to make his major league debut. They also traded for outfielder Chris Coghlan, sending Arismendy Alcantara to the Athletics.