Szczur’s slam punctuates Cubs’ big win

CHICAGO — Anthony Rizzo smacked a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the eighth inning and Matt Szczur followed with his first career grand slam to lift the Cubs to a 6-1 victory over the Braves on Friday at Wrigley Field. With the win, the Cubs are now 17-5 and off to their best start since the 1907 team was 18-4 in its first 22 games.

With the game tied at 1 in the Chicago eighth, pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella doubled to left off Jim Johnson before getting forced out at third on Dexter Fowler’s fielder’s choice. Jason Heyward walked and Ben Zobrist singled to load the bases and chase Johnson. Rizzo greeted lefty Eric O’Flaherty with a single to center to score Fowler. Szczur then launched an 0-1 pitch from Chris Withrow into the left-field bleachers for his second home run of the season.

The Braves had taken a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Freddie Freeman’s leadoff home run, only the fifth by Atlanta this season, and the Cubs tied the game in the fifth on David Ross’ RBI single. Chicago starter Jon Lester struck out 10 over seven innings but did not get a decision, and he is winless in three home starts.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDYoung at heart: Javier Baez doubled to open the Chicago fifth, the first hit off Aaron Blair, and one out later, he scored on Ross’ single to left. Ross now has five RBIs in his past five games. The veteran totaled nine RBIs in 72 games last season …

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