With another homer, Rizzo halfway to history
Cubs' slugging first baseman homers in fourth straight game
MILWAUKEE -- Look out, Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr. Anthony Rizzo is heating up.
Rizzo smacked his fourth homer in as many games, a three-run shot in the third, to power the Cubs to a 4-2 victory Saturday night over the Brewers. It was the Cubs' fourth straight win, and Rizzo notched his 20th home run, the third time in his young career that he's reached that mark.
The Major League record for consecutive games with a homer is eight, shared by Long (1956), Mattingly (1987) and Griffey (1993). Rizzo is the first Cubs player to homer in four straight games since Alfonso Soriano did so April 30 to May 4, 2010.
Video: CHC@MIL: Rizzo crushes three-run shot to open scoring
"Those are the kind of moments that can get you on the roll you're looking for," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Rizzo, who is batting .306 on the road and has hit 14 of his home runs away from Wrigley Field.
"He's been leading us the last four games for sure," Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks said. "He's one of the guys in the middle of the order who we need that from. He's fun to watch."
Give rookie Kyle Schwarber credit for wearing out Brewers starter Matt Garza in the third. With two outs, Schwarber outdueled Garza in an 11-pitch at-bat, eventually hitting a single to center. Garza then walked Chris Coghlan on four pitches, and Rizzo crushed a fastball to right field.
Video: CHC@MIL: Schwarber lifts a solo homer to pad the lead
"Having that at-bat [by Schwarber] obviously was a let down for Garza," Rizzo said.
Before Saturday's game, Maddon said the month of August will be a key test for the young Cubs, who are chasing the Pirates and Giants in the Wild Card race.
"I've been looking forward to August the whole year," Rizzo said. "We're home for a long time. It's hot in August. I enjoy the hot weather. We know what can happen at Wrigley when it warms up. I've been saying that all along to everyone -- we're going to have a big August."
Look out, National League.
"We have to keep this good vibe going," Rizzo said.