Cubs' Rivas shows why he's 'a really, really good baseball player'

Talk about making the most of your opportunity.

Alfonso Rivas, who was recalled from Iowa on Friday, did exactly that for the Cubs on Saturday by going 3-for-5 with 5 RBI during a 21-0 victory over Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field.

Rivas' biggest hit was a 3-run homer that came on the first pitch he saw from Pirates starter Zach Thompson. It gave the Cubs a 9-0 lead after two innings.

"Ton of credit to him. Not surprised at all," said shortstop Nico Hoerner. "I've been around him a lot. Just a guy who's always hit, always been consistent, very consistent personality, great defender and someone I believe in a lot."

The Cubs acquired Rivas from Oakland on January 13, 2020. A fourth-round pick of the A's in 2018, he went 14-for-44 for the Cubs last season and came into Saturday's game 2-for-5 in three games.

Rivas' other 2 hits Saturday were an RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings.

"It always (stinks) when you get sent down, but the easiest thing for me was to understand that it was a business move," said Rivas, who went 7-for-13 with 2 doubles, a homer and 4 RBI in three games for Iowa. "It gave me the opportunity to play every single day down there."

In addition to his big day at the plate, Rivas also made an impressive catch to end the third inning on a high pop up on the infield.

"He's just a ballplayer, man. A really, really good baseball player," said starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks. "The hands that he has - they work for him everywhere. At the plate you can see he's quick and at first base he's unreal. That popup he caught, that was right on top of me. That was a (heck of a) play. ...

"Big-time worker. I love him."

A-plus for The Professor:

Kyle Hendricks became the first starter to pitch past the sixth inning for the Cubs this season during their 21-0 victory over Pittsburgh. He allowed just 2 hits in 7 innings.

Hendricks (1-1) retired the first nine batters before yielding a double to Daniel Vogelbach to lead of the fourth. Cole Tucker (single) was the only other batter to reach against Hendricks.

"That's the best he's been this year," said catcher Willson Contreras. "He picked his spot to go up in the zone, which he did really good. He only allowed 2 base hits and they were basically weak contact, so that's a good sign for everybody."

Stunning stuff:

Keegan Thompson, who threw 4 innings of 2-hit relief against the Pirates on Friday, hasn't allowed a run in 13⅔ innings. Opponents are hitting .140 (6-for-43) against Thompson and have drawn just 3 walks.

Through Friday there were 13 pitchers who hadn't allowed a run with a minimum of 7 IP. Thompson has thrown the most, followed by Pittsburgh's Will Crowe (12 IP) and the Dodgers' Andrew Heaney (10⅓ IP)

"Can't overstate how well he's pitched and how good he's looked and how valuable that arm has been for us," said manager David Ross.

Around the horn:

Outfielder Clint Frazier (3-for-21, 2 doubles, 2 walks) had a successful appendectomy Saturday and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 20). ... LHP Wade Miley threw a bullpen session Saturday. Miley continues to work back from left elbow inflammation. He could be ready in early May. ... Sean Newcomb, acquired from Atlanta in a trade Thursday, made his Cubs debut Saturday. He threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning.