April 25--Anthony Rizzo slugged two home runs Sunday to spark the Cubs to a 9-0 win over the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Jason Heyward has three hits to help pace a 13-hit attack.
At the plate
Tommy La Stella, making his first start at the leadoff spot, has hit two doubles and a home run. La Stella set the tone with a six-pitch at-bat in the first that resulted in a double off the center field fence.
On the mound
Jason Hammel is making good use of his slider, as evidenced by his strikeouts of Scott Schebler and Joey Votto to end the first and has struck out six through 5 1/3 innings. Hammel is attempting to join Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester as Cubs starters to start the season 3-0. The Cubs never have had three pitchers post 3-0 before May 1 in franchise history.
In the field
Heyward, making his second start in center field, retreated gracefully to catch a drive by Eugenio Suarez for the second out in the first.
Key number
14 -- Home runs by the Cubs against the Reds in 2016
The quote
"I feel good about Tommy and Matty (Szczur)." -- Joe Maddon
Up next:
vs. Brewers at Wrigley Field (Tuesday), 7:05 p.m., CSN
