Baez hits 2-run HR, Russell adds slam as Cubs beat Reds 8-1
CHICAGO (AP) Javier Baez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer deep into Wrigley's Field's left bleachers in the seventh, Addison Russell added a grand slam in a five-run eighth and the Chicago Cubs beat the White Sox 8-1 on Wednesday night.
Jason Hammel (10-5) allowed one run and five hits while striking out seven in seven innings. Hector Rondon pitched a perfect eighth, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth in his Cubs debut.
Baez went deep on a full-count pitch against Anthony Ranaudo (1-1) to chase the right-hander in his White Sox debut.
Ranaudo didn't allow a hit until Kris Bryant's solo homer with one out in the sixth tie the score 1-1. Bryant's 26th homer matched his total last season when he was NL Rookie of the Year.
After Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the eighth, Russell followed two hitters later with his 12th homer to help the Cubs end a two-game slide and snap the White Sox's four-game winning streak.