Levine: Cubs Offense Explodes

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon had a conversation with outfielder Jason Heyward before taking him out of the two-hole in the batting order Monday. After sticking with the struggling Heyward for 81 games near the top of the batting order, the two agreed on a swtich to sixth in the batting order.

"Obviously, the spot comes around less in the game," Heyward said. "There is that, but other than that, I believe that there will be more times than not men on base at times, and that is an opportunity to do some damage and help the team."

An immediate dividend was paid when Heyward doubled in two runs in the first inning, setting the tone as the Cubs routed the Reds, 10-4, at Wrigley Field. Heyward added an infield single in the eighth inning, going 2-for-4 on the day.

After a humbling first half in which he .231 with four homers and 26 RBIs, Heyward hopes this is the start of something better. His performance certainly helped Chicago get back on track. After losing 10 of their past 14 games, the Cubs hit three home runs Monday in beating Reds rookie Cody Reed for the second time in a week.

Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks was solid, picking up the win in allowing one run on four hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings. It was Hendricks' third straight victory, and he's settling in nicely with rookie catcher Willson Contreras.

"I felt comfortable out there," Hendricks said. "I try to take each game individually. I have been on a little bit of a roll. When I am out there, I am thinking simple thoughts. Every game, it has been remarkably better with (Willson) out there. Today was awesome. We were on the same page pretty much all day."

Entering Monday, the Cubs had seen 4.5 games trimmed off their 12.5-game lead they had on June 19. With Monday's win and St. Louis' loss to Pittsburgh, Chicago's lead is back to nine game.

The Cubs have made the most of facing the lowly Reds this season, going 10-1 against them.

"Hey, it's better than not beating the Reds," Maddon said. "When people say that kind of stuff (easy wins), they have no idea what it takes to win a major league game. They have no concept, and I don't expect them to. We came out like they did, playing game after game, like they have. (The Cubs on Monday played for the 17th straight day.) That speaks loudly about that particular group. The group that wants to take a trip to negative town -- believe me its not that easy."

Cubs slugger Kris Bryant hit his NL-leading 24th homer Monday but also left the game due to injury. Playing left field, he collided with center fielder Albert Almora Jr. while making a catch in the gap in the fifth inning. The Cubs classified it as a left leg contusion for Bryant.

"I was talking to (the trainer) about it," Maddon said. "He should be fine tomorrow. That is what I am hearing. I am anticipating putting his name in the lineup tomorrow."

Almora and Bryant lost track of each other, which can be easy to do with 41,000 screaming fans and a ball hit between the two.

"It truly was KB's ball," Maddon said. "We have to iron that out -- even the pop up with Addison (Bryant coming in on the ball in the third inning). We need some voice amplification for our outfielders."

The Cubs lost left fielder Kyle Schwarber in the fourth game of the season when he crashed into center fielder Dexter Fowler on a similar play.

"I didn't like it, I didn't like it at all," Maddon said of the collision that could've been worse. "We have to avoid that. When a player is camped, there is no reason to run a player off.

"It is aggressive. We made the plays, and I will take it. Down the road, you just don't want that to happen."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.