CHICAGO _ Anthony Rizzo's power stroke has returned, making the Cubs' task of providing support to their pitchers more comforting.
After going 2{ weeks without hitting a home run, Rizzo smacked a pair and reached base four times in leading the Cubs to a 5-3 victory over the Giants; the Cubs improved to 42-19 at Wrigley Field as a result.
Rizzo has hit four home runs in his last five games. This marked the 17th multihomer game of his career and his first this season. He now has 25 homers this season, making him the seventh player in franchise history to hit at least 25 in six or more seasons. The other players on that list: Sammy Sosa (12), Ernie Banks and Billy Williams (10 each), Ron Santo (eight), Aramis Ramirez (seven) and Ryne Sandberg.
Nicholas Castellanos hit his seventh home run since joining the Cubs in a trade from the Tigers on July 31 to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, and he added two singles. Castellanos has hit safely in 15 of his 18 games with the Cubs.
Despite the power surge, the Cubs (67-58) needed timely hitting and finally got it in the fifth when catcher Jonathan Lucroy singled with two out to score Javier Baez with the go-ahead run.
Baez was involved in a mild collision with Rizzo after hitting a grounder to first. Brandon Belt threw to second for the forceout, and Rizzo retreated to first as Baez was sprinting toward the bag.
Baez was initially called out before bumping into Rizzo, but a replay review overturned the double play ruling. Baez moved up on a walk and scored on the hit by Lucroy.
The Cubs added an insurance run in the seventh as Rizzo drew a walk but was seemingly gassed after reaching third on a double to left by Kyle Schwarber.
Lucroy was intentionally walked, but Tony Kemp foiled the strategy by hitting a fly deep enough to left to score Rizzo.
The Cubs missed opportunities to add runs, as Kris Bryant flied to right with runners at first and third to end the second and popped to second in a similar situation to end the fourth.
Most Cole Hamels rebounded from his disastrous start Wednesday at Philadelphia by pitching six innings of five-hit ball to improve to 7-4. He allowed a two-run, tying home run to Austin Slater in the second, and Kevin Pillar knotted the game again in the fourth on a solo homer.
But Hamels pitched out of trouble in the fifth and sixth after the Giants put runners in scoring position.
He held Buster Posey hitless in three at-bats after the Giants catcher entered Tuesday's game with a .542 batting average (13-for-24) against him.
Kyle Ryan, Rowan Wick and closer Craig Kimbrel pitched one scoreless inning apiece to secure the win.
