The Cubs cranked out 16 hits in an 11-1 thumping of the Marlins in Miami. Kris Bryant hit a three-run homer for Chicago in the opener of the four-game set. Addison Russell and Willson Contreras also went deep, while Jake Arrieta tossed seven innings of one-run ball to improve to 7-and-5. Marcell Ozuna launched a solo homer for Miami. Jeff Locke allowed five runs in only four innings to fall to 0-and-3.
Game #2 in the series is tonight in Miami.
The Chicago Cubs will send struggling outfielder Kyle Schwarber
to Triple-A Iowa.
Schwarber is batting just .171 with 12 homers and 28 RBIs this
season. The 24-year-old has struck out 75 times in 222 plate
appearances.
Schwarber had a much better time of it last year when he played a
key role in leading the Cubs to their first World Series title
since 1908. Although his knee injury kept him from being cleared to
play the field, Schwarber batted .412 and drove in two runs in his
team's World Series victory over the Cleveland Indians.
