Schwarber, Baez go back to back in Cincy

CINCINNATI -- Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber has already shown in his young career that he has a knack for hitting laser-shot home runs.
In the second inning of Sunday's 6-1 win, Schwarber sent a 1-1 changeup from Reds starter Tyler Mahle into the right-field seats at Great American Ball Park for a two-run home run.
Moments later, shortstop Javier Báez sent a 2-1 slider out of the park for a solo shot of his own, giving Chicago a 3-1 lead.

The home runs by Schwarber and Baez marked the first time this season Cubs hitters have hit back-to-back homers in a game.
"A homer is a homer. I was just trying to hit the ball hard," said Schwarber. "It was good to get that feeling back of being able to hit a ball on the barrel."
Per Statcast™, Schwarber's line-drive homer left his bat with an exit velocity of 106.8 mph and had a launch angle of 19 degrees. It was his third home run this year with a launch angle below 20 degrees, tying him with Giancarlo Stanton and Nomar Mazara for the most in the Majors.
Baez reached the upper-deck bleachers in left field with his shot, which traveled approximately 399 feet and had an exit velocity of 102.2 mph. The launch angle on Baez's homer was 33 degrees, according to Statcast™.

Schwarber dropped a bunt single down the third-base line against the shift in his second at-bat and was later ejected in the seventh while arguing a called third strike.
"There was runners in scoring position there, and I wasn't too happy with the call," Schwarber said. "I was upset at myself and the call, flipped my bat, said it was high and might've said a few choice words in there. I didn't want to show [home-plate umpire John Tumpane] up. Then he threw me out, and that's when I kind of lost it."