CHICAGO _ Rene Rivera was a hit from the beginning.
The new Cubs catcher barely had emptied his blue Mets duffel bag into his new, nameplate-less locker before he led off the third inning with a line drive off Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada _ literally _ for the team's first hit of Sunday's 6-5 victory.
Jon Jay was then hit by a pitch before Kyle Hendricks was credited with a hit on a popped-up bunt attempt gone wrong _ then right _ when he reached first.
That led to Albert Almora Jr.'s big hit, a bases-clearing double that hugged the third-base line and ended with Hendricks sliding home for the Cubs' third run.
"That was probably all I've got in the tank," Hendricks said of scoring from first. "But I'll take it. I saw him waving me. I thought, 'Oh, boy, I better kick it into gear.' Not much athleticism on the running, but maybe a little on that slide."
Rivera, who was claimed off waivers Sunday and said he grew up watching Cubs games with his grandpa in Puerto Rico, was an instant fit, according to Hendricks.
"I told him after the game I think we can work really well together," Hendricks said. "There were a few sign things, but other than that it was awesome."
