The Chicago Cubs are riding hot bats behind another quality start from right-hander Kyle Hendricks.
Third baseman Patrick Wisdom hit his third home run in two games in the Cubs’ 4-3 win Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Wisdom’s two-run homer in the second inning was part of a 2-for-4 night, continuing his hot stretch since getting called up last week.
Willson Contreras’ two-run homer in the fifth — a 445-foot shot to center off Padres starter Ryan Weathers — represented the rest of the Cubs offense in the victory.
The Cubs secured their sixth consecutive series win and have won 10 of their last 12 games. Hendricks went six innings, keeping the Padres in check until the fifth. Four consecutive two-out hits, including home runs by Victor Caratini and Tommy Pham, put the Padres ahead until Contreras’ answer in the bottom of the inning.
Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth to secure his 13th save.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo was back in the lineup after being sidelined the previous six games because of lower back tightness. Rizzo had been itching to get back into the batter’s box, begging manager David Ross to give him an at-bat during the Cubs’ 7-2 win Monday.
“That’s always a good sign,” Ross said Tuesday.
The Cubs went 5-1 during Rizzo’s absence, aided by Kris Bryant’s versatility and ability to play first base and call-ups Wisdom and Rafael Ortega complementing a lineup that has found a groove since its early season slump.
Given Rizzo’s back issues throughout his career, it’s encouraging this ailment didn’t require a stint on the injured list. As with any player, the Cubs will continue to monitor Rizzo and his back. He singled in his first at-bat and went 2-for-4 in the win.
“If guys are sore, we have to give them days and we have to listen to their bodies,” Ross said. “Rizz has established himself as an everyday player through his career. As long as he’s healthy and feeling good, we’ll listen to that and let him play.
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“If there’s days where (his back’s) barking, he’ll come in and talk to me. If I see body language where it feels like he can’t get down and get ground balls or get off his ‘A’ swing, then we will monitor that accordingly.
“Once I put them in the lineup, I feel free that they’re able to play until they tell me they’re not.”
The Cubs are close to getting more offensive reinforcements. Outfielders Jason Heyward and Jake Marisnick, who are both on the IL with hamstring injuries, will join Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday for a rehab assignment with the hope they can join the Cubs during their four-game series in San Francisco that begins Thursday.
