Rizzo leaves early, but Bote HR keeps Cubs rolling at home
The bad news is Anthony Rizzo left the game early with low back tightness after 2 at-bats. Manager David Ross said Rizzo's status is day-to-day.
At the start of the fourth inning, the Cubs called time out and went to check on Rizzo, who was stretching and fidgeting while standing at first base. Rizzo talked to a trainer and stayed in the game.
But as luck would have it, the first batter of the inning was ex-Cub Kyle Schwarber, who pulled a sharp grounder that Rizzo couldn't glove after moving about two steps to his right. It was Rizzo's first error in 94 games.
When the inning ended, Rizzo headed back to the training room. Kris Bryant moved from right field to first base and Jason Heyward entered the game as Rizzo's replacement.
"Just slipped coming out of the box and just tweaked his back," Ross said. "The conversation with Rizz on the field was just about if he needed to come out. I think he was trying to see if it would loosen up a little bit, in-game, I went down just to check on him. They said he's unavailable."
This game featured another impressive performance from the Cubs' Southern connection. Alabama native Keegan Thompson replaced Zach Davies with a runner on first base and the score tied in the sixth inning, then retired three in a row.
In the seventh, Thompson gave up a double and walk, and Mississippi native Justin Steele came in to face Schwarber. Steele struck out Schwarber, then retired Starlin Castro on a bouncer to the mound, keeping Thompson's scoreless string intact.
Thompson has now pitched his first 11 2/3 innings in the big leagues without allowing a run. Thompson also collected his first career base hit in the sixth inning. Steele lowered his ERA to 2.25. Davies went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits to leave his ERA at 5.58.
"They've been big," Ross said. "I've pulled the trigger at times and these guys continue to step up. They know their matchups, are prepared, getting right after hitters. They haven't buckled under pressure. They've answered the call in the moments that we've put them in, even in traffic like Justin (had Tuesday).
"It's exciting. It's a group that definitely you root for and you love having because we've got so many weapons down there that are just starting to come into their own and some veteran guys down there that you trust as well."
The Cubs got on the board with a 2-run single by Willson Contreras in the third inning. In the fifth, Bryant's infield single brought home Nico Hoerner giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead. But former Cub Starlin Castro led off the sixth with a tying home run.
Hoerner went 3-for-4 to raise his batting average to .353 on the season. Contreras, Bryant and Bote had 2 hits each.
Before the game, the Cubs played a tribute video for pitcher Jon Lester, then presented him with a couple of gifts. Those included a "W" flag and two Wrigley Field seats, each loaded with messages. They saved the Lester tribute for a day, since he started Monday's game.
Ross said Lester's family was sitting nearby in the front row.
"I love that freakin' guy," Ross said of Lester. "I think I told him (Monday) I would tell him good luck, but I wouldn't mean it. Anytime there's a chance to show him some love, I want to be out there."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls