Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo leadoff experiment works to perfection

The Chicago Cubs offense woke up Tuesday, slugging five home runs in a much-needed win. Joe Maddon’s club broke a streak of seven-straight losses at Citi Field.

Struggling to find consistency, Joe Maddon shuffled the lineup again. This time, it worked, as the Chicago Cubs broke out in a big way. Scoring seven times in the second inning, the visitors put the game away early and gave Jon Lester some much-needed run support.

Maddon put an unfamiliar face in the leadoff spot in Anthony Rizzo. Leading off for the first time in his career, the Chicago first baseman led off the game with a home run on the second pitch he saw from Mets starter Zack Wheeler. New York (29-34) got that run right back on an RBI double by Yoenis Cespedes in the bottom of the frame.

That’s about when the wheels came off for the Mets.

The Cubs broke it open quickly in the second, highlighted by a grand slam from Cubs rookie Ian Happ. Chicago (32-32) poured it on after that. Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez all added home runs in the middle-to-late innings

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Lester finally got some run support and cruised through seven solid innings. Addison Russell continues to look better at the plate. He hit an RBI double that capped off that seven-run second inning.

New lineup ignites Cubs’ bats

Rizzo had two extra-base hits and was on base three times from the leadoff spot. His average is now up to .253 and it’s likely Maddon will keep him there at least for tomorrow’s game. He leads the team with 40 runs batted in.

Ian Happ hit his first career grand slam in the second, but then proceeded to strike out in his final four at-bats.

All nine Cubs had at least one hit in the game, including Lester, who was on base twice. He singled and drew a walk.

Hewyard’s two run shot was his sixth of the season. He hit only seven home runs last year.

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What’s Next

The Cubs look for their first series win in New York since 2015 as Mike Montgomery (0-3, 2.43 ERA) fills in for the injured Kyle Hendricks. The Mets will counter with Matt Harvey (4-3, 5.02 ERA). First pitch is set 6:10 p.m. CT on CSN.