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LOS ANGELES — Seiya Suzuki felt ready.
Despite only 15 plate appearances in four rehab games with Triple-A Iowa — well below the average PAs in a typical spring training — he cleared all the requirements to return to right field for the Chicago Cubs. Checked swings and whiffs didn’t bother his oblique and he activated him from the injured list before Friday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium. The Cubs optioned infielder/outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni to Iowa.
“I just want to make sure that I don’t want to bring any bad vibes in here,” Suzuki said before the game through interpreter Toy Matsushita. “I want to make sure the team keeps on going and make sure we win a lot of games.”
Suzuki didn’t need to worry, at least for one night.
The good vibes remained Friday thanks to a suddenly home-run happy Cubs lineup. They went deep five times in an 8-2 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, including back-to-back homers in the eighth by Ian Happ and Suzuki. Yan Gomes hit two home runs as part of a three-hit game for the catcher.
The Cubs (7-5) have won six of their last eight games.
“It’s a tremendous lineup and I want to do my part moving forward,” Suzuki said. “I’m just very excited for what we can do.
“Our ultimate goal is to win the championship and I think we have all the pieces to do that so I want to be a good piece in that plan.”
Slotting Suzuki in the No. 4 spot makes the Cubs lineup deeper and adds a dynamic hitter who should get ample run-producing opportunities. His presence can lessen pressure on other hitters, and his command of the strike zone can help them grind down the opposing starting pitcher.
Cody Bellinger, in his first game back at Dodger Stadium, nearly made it three consecutive home runs for the Cubs in the eighth inning, but just missed on a changeup he hit to the center field warning track. Patrick Wisdom followed for the Cubs’ third home run of the inning. The outburst was well timed; the Dodgers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a one-run game.
The Cubs entered Friday with the fourth fewest home runs (10) in the majors until they slugged five in the victory.
“I feel like our offense is really starting to find its groove, really starting to click so it’s always awesome to see the ball leave the yard when it’s on our side,” said Justin Steele, who allowed two runs in seven innings for his third straight quality start.
“It’s a lot of fun to watch. I feel like as a team we’re just picking each other up when we’re supposed to.”
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Bellinger, who doubled and scored on Eric Hosmer’s ground out to first in the fourth inning, received a video tribute before the game and extended cheers prior to stepping in the box for his first at-bat. That delay caused him to be charged with an automatic strike due to a pitch clock violation called by home plate umpire Jim Wolf. Umpires have discretion to stop or restart the clock at any point, but Wolf apparently the situation didn’t warrant any flexibility within the requirements that the hitter be ready and looking at the pitcher with at least eight seconds remaining.
Manager David Ross wasn’t happy Bellinger was dinged for a violation.
“We’ve got to find those moments where you’re giving some love to players that the fan base wants to appreciate them. Umpires get in the mode of doing their job and I understand that, but that wasn’t my favorite thing of the night.”
Bellinger was surprised he was called for the violation, but “rules are rules, I guess.” With a smile on his face, Bellinger said he plans to have a word with Wolf about it before Saturday’s game. The moment didn’t take away from the 2019 National League MVP’s return to Los Angeles. Bellinger became very emotional watching the tribute video because of the memories it sparked.
Bellinger tried to take it all in. Pulling a double to right field certainly felt good too.
“I feel really confident — physically, mentally, I feel solid as I have in a while so it’s exciting,” he said. “Life is not always planned as we all know as we grow older that God works in mysterious ways. I just try to stay in the moment and appreciate it.”
Getting Suzuki back as the Cubs kick off a six-game West Coast trip gives the lineup a boost as they try to navigate a tough stretch in their schedule. Pitching and defense was expected to be a strength and set the tone, so how this season turns out might ultimately depend on how the Cubs lineup can respond, find ways to score in bunches and tack on runs like they did in the eighth and ninth innings Friday.
