Cubs' Hoerner continues hot hitting streak

Nico Hoerner continued his torrid hitting, going 2-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBIs during the Cubs' 9-4 loss to the Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

Hoerner is 15-for-34 (.441) with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs and 2 walks in the last seven games. He's reached base in 18 straight games and owns a .406 on-base percentage.

"I mean unbelievable," said teammate Ian Happ. "His ability to put the ball in play, hit the ball hard, on the line, start rallies - all that stuff - it's really impressive."

Hoerner went 4-for-5 during the Cubs' 13-0 victory over the Dodgers on Friday. He followed that by leading off Saturday's game with a base hit and smashing a 2-run HR in the seventh that cut the Dodgers' lead to 6-4.

The 25-year-old had a solid 2022 campaign, slashing .282/.327/.410 while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 55 runs.

But what he's doing in the early going of 2023 is a whole different level.

"You know the question mark (with the Cubs) has been the leadoff spot for a really long time and he seems to be off to a great start," said manager David Ross. "(He's) embraced that role, relished that and really sets the tone for our team in a great way.

"(That's) what you envision when you write (his name) in there, but to see it transpire is awesome for us and it's a big reason for our success."

Hoerner, who batted mostly fifth or sixth last season, only had 13 plate appearances in the leadoff spot before this season. He relishes the role and is grateful the coaching staff hasn't tried to change his approach.

"I've really tried to treat it the same way I've always hit," said Hoerner, whose .367 batting average ranks fourth in the majors. "There's no message from Rossy or anyone like, 'Now you've got to walk more or be something other than you are naturally.' That's allowed me to be myself.

"It does feel a little different at times. Obviously you want to be on base for ... everyone who follows me. Still have had plenty of chances to drive in runs."

Hoerner went 42 straight plate appearances without a strikeout before going down looking in the ninth inning Saturday.

Tough way to get hurt:

Jameson Taillon averaged 31 starts during the last three full MLB campaigns, a number the Cubs' righty takes pride in. So when Taillon realized the groin pull he suffered while playing catch in Oakland on Wednesday would cost him some time, the 31-year-old was quite frustrated.

"You're getting paid to take the mound and pitch and compete," said Taillon, who inked a four-year, $68 million deal in the off-season. "I feel like I've (had) a good program that's designed to keep me on the field. It's really worked for the most part over the past couple of years.

"(This is) definitely frustrating, but thankfully we avoided anything too major."

Taillon (0-2, 4.50 ERA) felt his groin pull while crow-hopping and shuffling during a throw. After a few more tosses, he spoke up and had it checked out.

Taillon doesn't expect to be out too long.

"We're gonna try to keep the arm moving," he said. "I really only feel it at a higher intensity (when I) really, really step into it. So I'm excited that I can keep the arm in good shape."

Around the horn:

Drew Smyly on Friday joined Kerry Wood as the only Cubs to allow no more than 1 hit while issuing no walks and striking out 10-plus batters while throwing at least 7.2 innings. Wood struck out 20 in a complete-game shutout on May 6, 1998. ... The Cubs scored at least 10 runs in six of their first 19 games. Only once (in 1885) have they accomplished that feat in fewer games (17). All of those contests were on the road as the team was preparing to move into a new park.