CHICAGO _ Manager Joe Maddon's attempt to kick-start Anthony Rizzo by batting the slumping slugger in the leadoff spot Tuesday night paid off immediately when Rizzo hit the first pitch for a home run against Rockies starter Jon Gray at warm and windy Wrigley Field.
The home runs was the second of the season for Rizzo, but the Cubs lost 3-1 as Kyle Hendricks allowed consecutive home runs to Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl to start the game under 84-degree temperatures and a 12-mph wind from the southwest.
Nolan Arenado opened the fourth with a homer to left, marking the first time Hendricks allowed three home runs in a start since Sept. 17, 2015, at Pittsburgh to Pedro Alvarez, Gregory Polanco and Travis Snider.
The homers also help snap the Cubs' five-game winning streak.
"I really thought we needed something like a 20-foot python, a magician or a breakdancer in the clubhouse," Maddon deadpanned before the game. "Instead, I chose to bat Rizzo leadoff."
Rizzo entered the game batting .149 with one home run in 74 at-bats. He led off in 14 games in 2017, batting .300 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and a .373 on-base percentage in 59 plate appearances.
At the time, Rizzo jokingly declared himself "statistically the greatest hitter of all time to lead the game off."
Before the game, Rizzo said he was excited about the switch and he went 1-for-4 to raise his batting average to .154.
The changes came at the expense of Albert Almora Jr. and Javier Baez, who have batted first and second throughout nearly all of the Cubs' 9-2 stretch. Neither was in the lineup Tuesday.
Maddon said he usually alerts the players of the lineup but not the batting order the night before each game.
"I wanted to know that (Rizzo) was cool with it, and that made it easier," Maddon said.
