Montero taking aggressive approach at plate

CHICAGO -- Miguel Montero had to stop thinking like a catcher at the plate and more like a hitter. So far, it's working.

The Cubs catcher belted his second three-run homer in as many games in the first inning Thursday night to spark the Cubs to a 6-3 win over the Reds. In his last eight games, Montero has six hits, half of them home runs, and seven RBIs.

"It's about time, right?" Montero said.

Video: CIN@CHC: Montero sends a three-run homer to center

The problem, Montero said, was more mental than physical.

"It's just about being more aggressive at the plate and being ready to hit," he said. "Before that, I wasn't ready to hit, and I was probably over-thinking. I was probably trying to think along with the pitcher instead of staying in my approach and staying just looking for one pitch to hit. Just see the ball, hit the ball, rather than think with the pitcher."

As a catcher, it's his job to think along with the pitcher. But he talked to Cubs hitting coach John Mallee about the need to change his approach, and so far, so good.

"There's nothing wrong," Montero said of his swing. "The only thing wrong was that I wasn't ready to hit."

And now he is.