Chicago Cubs pick up another run behind Anthony Rizzo’s two homers

Anthony Rizzo clubbed a pair of long-balls, leading the Chicago Cubs to another big win over the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.

Remember how we kept saying Anthony Rizzo would break out of his slump soon to lead the Chicago Cubs’ offense?

Yeah, it happened. Rizzo homered twice, giving him three home runs in his last four games, backing starter Kyle Hendricks and lifting Chicago to a 5-4 win. The contest marked Rizzo’s 14th career multi-homer game.

But Mac Williamson made things very interesting in the top of the ninth when he took Wade Davis deep into the basket in right field for a two-run shot. The blast, which accounted for Davis’ first two earned runs of the year, pulled the Giants within one at 5-4.

Javier Baez drove in a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly. Out of the leadoff spot for the Cubs, he drove a ball to center, scoring Addison Russell from third. Baez also helped score a second run with a bunt in the bottom of the seventh.

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A throwing error by Giants hurler George Kontos, a Chicago native, made it a 4-2 ballgame in the seventh. Jon Jay plated what proved to be the game-winning run in the eighth with a sac fly, as well.

San Francisco (20-28) pushed the Cubs’ pen to the brink in the eighth. After Carl Edwards Jr. walked Buster Posey to load the bases, he ran the count full to Brandon Crawford. The lanky right-hander somehow got out of it, though, with a ground ball back to the mound to end the inning.

With the win, Chicago (24-21) approaches its season-high mark for games over .500. Hendricks pitched deep into the game for the Cubs, adding to his recent hot stretch.

The right-hander allowed just two earned over seven innings of work. He struck out five and did not walk a single batter in the victory.

What Stood Out

It appears, at least for the time being, that the Kyle Schwarber leadoff experience is over. Ben Zobrist led off the last two games and Baez assumed the role on Wednesday.

Both Schwarber and Zobrist enjoyed off-days, giving Baez a chance to prove himself at the top of the order.

Next: A check-up on the Cubs' top prospects

What’s Next

The Cubs aim for a series win in the finale of their 10-game homestand on Thursday.

Former Chicago hurler Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 4.57) squares off against right-hander Eddie Butler (1-0, 2.00), who makes his third start of the year.