Last night the Chicago Cubs scored 17 runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field and effectively end the Pirates shot at winning the NL Central in 2017.
And of those 17 runs, seven were scored on the strength of four homers – one each from Happ and Rizzo, and two off the bat of Kyle Schwarber – so you know what that means … it’s time for a Homer Party!
Here’s a quick look at each of them, before we get started:
Bats and brooms. pic.twitter.com/PN5Lr78ZLi
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2017
After already hitting an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, Happ stepped up to the plate for a second time in the bottom of the third. At that point, spirits were high, because Rizzo had just doubled in Kris Bryant to take the lead, and then Happ made things even better with a two-run shot to right:
This blast made Ian Happ the sixth Cubs player to hit 20 homers this year. That’s a franchise record. pic.twitter.com/XaBAwMlrMP
— Cubs Talk (@CSNCubs) August 31, 2017
Brett covered this last night, but that homer made Happ the sixth Cub to reach 20 long balls here in 2017, which set a new franchise record. All in all, he went 3-5 at the plate last night (coming a triple short of the cycle), and brought his slash line up to .252/.327/.524 (115 wRC+) for the year.
Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning with the Cubs already up 9-2, Jose Quintana managed to hit an RBI single, scoring Javy Baez from third and Kyle Schwarber came up with two outs and one on before doing this:
JD: “Kyle Schwarber needs to get in on the action.”
Schwarber: “Hold my beer.” pic.twitter.com/enpAmXFCuo— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) August 31, 2017
That was Schwarber’s first hit of the night and 23rd home run of the year. It scored Jose Quintana from first and gave the Cubs a ten-run lead in the fifth inning. But Schwarber’s night wasn’t over yet. If you’ll allow me to go out of order for a second, he launched his second homer of the night just two innings later:
Kyle Schwarber’s second homerun of the night. That swing is so powerful. His 24th HR of the year. pic.twitter.com/oJMbtgJVyd
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) August 31, 2017
Schwarber’s second hit of the night was also his 24th home run of the season, which is tied with Kris Bryant for second most on the Cubs. Since he’s returned from the minors, Schwarber’s stayed red-hot, belting 12 home runs, a triple and five doubles while slashing .243/.338/.550 (127 wRC+) over 160 plate appearances.
And because I know you’ll be wondering, 26 of those 160 plate appearances has come against lefties, and Schwarber’s been officially above average in those chances (101 wRC+). Not bad at all.
And finally (but also an inning earlier in the game), Anthony Rizzo launched his team-leading 31st home run (13th most in the Majors) to right-center field in the bottom of the sixth last night.
It was a solo shot and came as part of an excellent 2-3 (2B, HR) overall performance:
Anthony Rizzo hits his 31st home run! pic.twitter.com/hU9LOVWXFN
— Kevin Marchina (@kg_holler) August 31, 2017
He’s legitimately on fire.
For the season, Rizzo is slashing .282/.399/.541 which is good for a 142 wRC+ (17th in MLB), but I don’t know if anyone outside of Miami has been hotter than Tony lately. For example, he’s currently working on a six-game hitting streak, which features 12 hits overall, seven of which have fallen for extra bases.
And here in the second half of the season (191 PAs), Rizzo is slashing a ridiculous .327/.424/.605 (166 wRC+). He’s just been so very, very good.
As for the estimated distances and exit velocities, Rizzo’s homer both traveled the farthest (434 feet) and was hit the hardest (107 MPH), but Happ’s was no cheapy either (414 feet, 105 MPH). Both of Schwarber’s home runs were under 400 feet and less than 100 MPH, but his second shot of the day would’ve left 23 ballparks anyway, according to ESPN’s Home Run tracker.
Here’s your updated Cubs Home Run Leaderboards:
