Sept. 05--The Cubs offense came alive early and stayed that way as they belted four home runs to hammer the Diamondbacks 14-5 for their second victory in three games in the first of a three-game set Friday at Wrigley Field.
At the plate
Anthony Rizzo drilled a grand slam and Javier Baez added a two-run shot. Addison Russell had his first career multi-homer game with two. Baez was 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, tying his career high with three hits, including two in the eight-run fifth.
On the mound
Jon Lester threw 91 pitches and lasted just five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three.
Key manager's decision
Despite preferring to play Tommy La Stella at second base against right-handers, Cubs manager Joe Madden gave Javier Baez the start there because he liked the matchup against Zack Godley.
Key number
12 -- Multi-home run games for the Cubs this season, tied for their most since hitting 15 in 2005.
The quote
"It took me nine years to do it but better late than never. It's a little bit easier when it's a home run too. You don't have to worry about it too much, just jog around the bases." -- Lester, who spent the first nine years of his career in the American League, on scoring his first career run on Russell's fourth-inning homer.
Up next
Vs. Diamondbacks, 1:20 p.m. Saturday, CSN. .
