WATCH: Rizzo discusses Cubs' close call with Padres |
CHICAGO — "That was a weird one."
That is how Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who went 3-4 and hit a solo home run on Friday, described the Cubs' 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres. An up-and-down affair that was rife with momentum swings, the contest featured a dramatic top half of the ninth inning that the Cubs were able to survive. Speaking on the hectic ninth frame, in which the Padres scored two runs and nearly tied the game up, Rizzo said, "Pedro (Strop) bared down there and made a nice play. (David) Bote made a nice play with Cory Spangenberg on third. That's a nice win for us. We needed that." Strop picked up the save, despite allowing two runs to score in the ninth. Prior to accruing a game-ending strikeout, Strop was bailed out by an outstanding throw home from Bote that outed a runner who was attempting to score and tie the game. Rizzo, who is now 4-7 at the dish in the Cubs' current homestand and has been performing well since being moved to the leadoff spot, also spoke on what his sparked his recent upswing. "I just stay with it. I just keep going and stay with my routine and stay with what's working. Luckily, today, I got some results. I got one over the basket, and I'll take it." On the Diamond: @Kelly_Crull talks with Anthony Rizzo about trying to be like Javy Báez after the @Cubs defeat the #Padres, presented by @JandSJewelers pic.twitter.com/GXDDkY8rLL Referring to his solo jack in the seventh inning, which landed in a netted basket above the ivy on the right-field wall, Rizzo hit his 16th long ball of the season on Friday and has now homered in four of his last eight games. .@ARizzo44 has homered in four of his last eight games! #TeamRizzo#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/MOTtNRg1W0 Furthermore, Rizzo moved into an 11th-place tie with Alfonso Soriano in terms of home runs hit by a player wearing a Cubs uniform.
