When Jon Lester and Javy Baez notched a couple hits with two outs in the bottom of the 4th, it set up a situation where we haven’t recently seen much good happen: runners were in scoring position (a serious problem lately), and Kyle Schwarber was up (serious struggles lately).
But then something wonderful happens, as it so often does if you’re patient. Excruciatingly patient, in this case.
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Schwarber ripped a 2-0 offering into the right field bleachers to get the Cubs their first RISP hit in a while, and a 5-2 lead (@Cubs):
.@kschwarb12 is the fastest Cub to 20 career home runs (97 games). pic.twitter.com/drEjB50uPu
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 3, 2017
It wasn’t a monster bomb, but it sure sounded great off the bat. And with Wrigley’s power alleys being what they are, there was never any question that it was gone.
Something extremely cool about that homer? Schwarber set a Cubs record in the process:
This factoid, like Kyle Schwarber, is awesome. pic.twitter.com/suRcVOjLi4
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) May 3, 2017
The most amazing part of that stat is that Kyle Schwarber is in his 97th big league game. That’s it. He’d be, like, halfway through his rookie season if it had all happened in one year. I think sometimes we forget that when envisioning what he will be this season. I still think he’s going to be excellent in the end, but, you know, give the guy some room to grow.
Schwarber’s blast followed Kris Bryant’s homer to open the game, and a Javy Baez shot. It’s been a good evening so far.
Also, if the dinger put you in the mood to get a Schwarber shirsey or any other Cubs gear, be advised:
Ooh, meanwhile, some between inning shopping if you like deals. https://t.co/QU68chH8sc #ad pic.twitter.com/CmBgJhtcFB
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) May 3, 2017