Zobrist’s big game shows benefits of rest

CINCINNATI — Ben Zobrist has been hot and cold this season, and it’s not just his batting average. He warms up before each game by soaking for about five minutes in 106-degree water. After the game, the Cubs’ versatile veteran completes a stretching routine, and then cools off in a 57-degree cold tub.

He started the routine in Tampa Bay to deal with the turf there, and it’s paying off now as he hopes to lead the Cubs deep into the postseason.

On Friday, Zobrist belted two home runs, a solo shot leading off the fifth and a two-run blast in the eighth for the seventh multi-homer game of his career, to help Chicago post a 7-3 victory over Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park.

Manager Joe Maddon knows Zobrist well. They were together with Tampa Bay, and Maddon credits Zobrist’s recent friskiness at the plate to being rested.

“R-E-S-T-E-D, that’s what it means to me,” Maddon said. “The everyday Major League player, people have no idea how difficult that is to do. Plus, he’s 35. That’s not easy. With the everyday guy, you have to get them off their feet. It’s hard to replicate and be that consistent every day — we’re just talking hitting now. … The way we got to this particular point has been wonderful so we can provide these guys a chance to refuel their …

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