Rizzo puzzled as the hits (by pitch) keep coming

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo says he has no idea what's going on. But he was hit by pitches two more times in Thursday's 6-5 victory over the New York Mets.

That gave him 11 for the season, which leads the major leagues. Rizzo led the Cubs last year by being hit 15 times. The club record is 17, held by Frank Chance (1905) and Marlon Byrd (2010). The all-time major-league record is 51, set by Hughie Jennings in 1896.

"I'm not going to break 51 hit by pitches," Rizzo said.

Rizzo has expressed no anger on the field after being hit this year.

"I don't like getting hit by any means, but I have no idea," he said.

Rizzo's on-base percentage is .470, to go along with a batting average of .336. He has 8 doubles, a triple, 7 homers and 20 RBI. He also has hit safely in seven straight games.

Ross hurts himself:

Catcher David Ross came into the game as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. He hurt himself while at the plate in the eighth inning.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Ross experienced "abdominal tightness." The Cubs will evaluate him again Friday. They are carrying three catchers: Ross, Miguel Montero and Welington Castillo. Ross has been the catcher for ace lefty Jon Lester.

Standing behind Soler:

After striking out twice and hitting into 2 double plays Wednesday night, right fielder Jorge Soler went 1-for-4 with a run scored Thursday. He is 3-for-15 on the homestand.

Joe Maddon didn't seem worried about the rookie.

"He's a young man," Maddon said. "He's really young. Sometimes you equate big people as being more mature as opposed to their age or their birth certificate. This is a young big man that's struggling at the major-league level a little bit right now. Of course he's going to be dejected or disappointed or whatever.

"He's going to be fine, though. This guy's talent is prodigious. He is going to come out on the other side of this. In the meantime, you've got to support him. You've got to talk to him. You've to coach him. You've got to help him. Eventually, he comes back out on the other side. This is a player every organization would like to have their hands on right now. We happen to have him.

"When things are going poorly, I just understand that this is when they need you the most."