Szczur’s slam punctuates Cubs’ comeback

CHICAGO — Matt Szczur has a rock on a shelf in his locker that he touches every day. It’s a reminder of a parable called “The Story of the Stone Cutter” the Rev. Rob Hagan, an associate athletic director at Villanova, taught Szczur during his days there. The message is to keep grinding, and good things will happen. And as he’s done every day, starting in Spring Training, Szczur touched the rock on Friday. And good things happened.

Szczur provided the highlight in an eighth-inning rally when he smacked his first career grand slam to power the Cubs to a 6-1 victory over the Braves. It was a victory for the bench players.

The game was tied at 1 when pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella doubled to lead off the frame before being forced at third on Dexter Fowler’s fielder’s choice. Jason Heyward walked and Ben Zobrist singled to load the bases for Anthony Rizzo. The Braves brought in lefty Eric O’Flaherty, but Rizzo slapped a single to center to put the Cubs ahead, 2-1. He now has 24 RBIs, the most he’s totaled in one month in his career.

• Grand slams mean 40% off pizza

Right-hander Chris Withrow replaced O’Flaherty, and in his first at-bat of the game, Szczur launched a 92-mph fastball into the …

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