CHICAGO -- Seeking to shelve the struggles of a disappointing first half, Tommy Pham enjoyed some instant results from the work he did over the All-Star break to correct the mechanics of his swing.
Starting as the Cardinals' eight-hole hitter for just the second time this season, Pham obliterated a 79.1-mph changeup from Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks for a second-inning solo homer on Thursday. The blast, which landed on Waveland Ave., pushed St. Louis ahead, 2-0, in the opener of a five-game series.
Pham, who began the year as a fixture in the top-third of the Cardinals' lineup, had closed the first half with one home run in his final 21 games. He hit .143 and slugged .200 during that stretch, and interim manager Mike Shildt responded by dropping Pham in the order in hopes that would spark a resurgence.
Pham's home run on Thursday traveled 433 feet with an exit velocity of 107.5 mph, according to Statcast™. It was his third hardest-hit home run this season.