CINCINNATI _ Jason Heyward initially believed a 14-inning game May 6 that included two rain delays caused normal soreness the next day.
But a cut lip and subsequent headaches convinced him later that something wasn't right, and the diagnosis of a concussion made him more empathetic toward victims.
"I never had had a concussion, and I guess it makes a believer out of me," Heyward said.
He was activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list before the Cubs' game Friday night against the Reds, which was delayed 1 hour, 33 minutes because of rain.
The Cubs made up for lost time, collecting five consecutive hits to start the game and pulling away to an 8-1 victory. Addison Russell collected four hits to tie a career high, and his RBI single in the first capped a three-run rally against Homer Bailey.
Heyward lined out as a pinch hitter and played right field in the eighth and ninth innings.
Kyle Schwarber clubbed an RBI double in front of several family members and friends to score Russell in the sixth. Ian Happ drew three intentional walks, the most for a Cubs player in a game since Andre Dawson had five against the Reds on May 22, 1990.
Jon Lester, whose start was pushed back due to Thursday's postponement at Atlanta, limited the Reds to one run on two hits over his six innings.
