Chicago Cubs rookie Michael Busch hit a home run for the fifth game in a row on Monday night, matching a team record.
Busch started the second inning with his sixth home run of the season, a 419-foot hit to center field on an 0-2 pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly.
Four other Cubs players have hit home runs in five straight games — including current third baseman Christopher Morel, who did it last year. The others are Sammy Sosa and Hall of Famers Hack Wilson and Ryne Sandberg.
“You don’t take it for granted,” said Chicago manager Craig Counsell. “He’s off to a fantastic start as a Cub. We’re grateful to have him.”
Chicago won 3-2 in 11 innings.
All five of Busch’s games have been away from Wrigley Field — starting with the series finale in San Diego last week, and three games in Seattle over the weekend. The Cubs won three of these games despite scoring only 14 runs.
Busch, who plays first base, has a batting average of .327 with 12 RBIs and a .731 slugging percentage.
The 26-year-old Busch was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a January trade.
He was selected 31st by the Dodgers in the 2019 amateur draft from North Carolina and made his major league debut last season, batting .167 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 27 games for Los Angeles.
