Youngsters power Cubs to dominant victory over D-Backs
It's all about the young blood for the Chicago Cubs.
The youthful trio of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Addison Russell showed their muscles Friday as the Cubs dismantled the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 14-5 shellacking.
"There were so many positives out there today," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "These young guys are very skillful, and they're going to be able to hit home runs. But this other stuff, when you're playing in the playoffs and you're facing good pitching and good teams, you're not just going to normally pummel and hit home runs like that. You have to be able to do these other little things well, and our guys have."
Chicago's big day at the plate was exemplified by a monstrous fifth inning when they scored eight runs, including big knocks from Rizzo and Baez.
Rizzo recorded the second grand slam of his young career and his first since September 2012, sending an A.J. Schugel offering into the deep right-field bleachers.
Baez wasn't too shabby either, showcasing the raw power that made him one of the game's top prospects in 2013.
In his second at-bat of the inning, and just two batters after Rizzo, Baez hammered a Silvino Bracho slider into the left-field stands. That must have been a refreshing feeling for the youngster who thought he would make the team out of spring camp, but didn't make the cut.
Russell tried to outdo his teammates with an incredible afternoon of his own, becoming the only Cubs rookie to record a multi-homer game from the nine hole since 1900. He smashed two dingers in the second and fourth innings off Diamondbacks starter Zack Godley.
With the victory, the Cubs are one step closer to making their first playoff appearance since 2008.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)