Suzuki's return helps power Cubs' 5-homer night in LA

LOS ANGELES -- Seiya Suzuki headed back up the tunnel behind the visitors' dugout at Dodger Stadium before a crush of media convened near the bench. The large gathering was for Cody Bellinger, who was making his return to his old stomping grounds.

For the Cubs, Suzuki's return from the injured list and to the lineup was the more impactful storyline. In an 8-2 win over the Dodgers, Suzuki showed why with a towering home run -- part of back-to-back blasts with Ian Happ in the eighth inning -- to highlight a five-homer day for the North Siders.

"It's exciting. It was cool to see his name in the lineup," Bellinger said. "I think that brings a whole different dynamic to this lineup."

Suzuki's presence as a power threat with plus contact ability in the cleanup spot gives Chicago's offense another layer. He also gives the Cubs a consistent front four with Nico Hoerner leading off, Dansby Swanson next and Happ following in the third slot.

Cubs manager David Ross will not only be able to pencil that foursome in on a nightly basis, but perhaps for the foreseeable future. When Happ signed a three-year extension on Wednesday, it locked him in with Hoerner, Swanson and Suzuki through at least the 2026 season.

"Our ultimate goal is to win the championship," Suzuki said via his interpreter, Toy Matsushita, before Friday's win. "And I think we have all the pieces to do that. I want to be a good piece in that plan and make sure we win a lot of games."

Suzuki signed a five-year deal prior to last season, while the Cubs were still working through a rebuild. Swanson highlighted Chicago’s aggressive winter of additions, penning his name on a seven-year, $177 million deal. Hoerner signed a three-year extension on March 30.

Together, those deals help bring a new core group into focus.

“The last few years obviously had their purpose,” Hoerner said, “as far as individually and trying to get a sense of direction for the organization and things like that. But, to actually know who those people are, at least looking at about half the lineup, it just helps have a vision of what it looks like.

“It makes it easier to believe in. It makes it exciting that the relationships you're developing right now are not only for today, but also for what's to come.”

Cubs fans would love it if Friday night’s outpouring proved to be a preview.

Suzuki's home run off Andre Jackson rocketed off his bat at 106.8 mph and cut through the Chavez Ravine air for a projected 406 feet, per Statcast. The shot came after Happ belted his homer as part of a 4-for-4 showing, including a pair of RBI doubles and a walk, to help drive the Cubs offense.

“It gives us that extra length and pushes everybody down one spot,” Happ said of Suzuki's return. “His at-bats are always really good and consistent. And for him to hit a homer tonight and start that way was really awesome. And really big for us.”

With Suzuki inserted back in the heart of the order, Bellinger and Patrick Wisdom -- two more run producers with power -- dropped into the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Bellinger doubled and scored in his return, while Wisdom got in on the derby in the eighth with a homer of his own.

“I feel like our offense is really starting to find its groove, really starting to click,” said Cubs lefty Justin Steele, who struck out eight and allowed two runs over seven innings. “It's always awesome to see the ball leave the yard when it's on our side. It's a lot of fun to watch.”

The lineup looked especially deep on Friday, when veteran catcher Yan Gomes enjoyed a two-homer night out of the Cubs’ No. 9 slot. Gomes finished with three hits and stole a base, making him the first Cubs catcher to steal a bag and have two homers in a game since at least 1901. The last MLB catcher to pull off the feat was Brian McCann in 2008.

“Nice to have Seiya back,” Ross said. “When your seven-hole hitter becomes your eight-hole hitter, and you’re just pushing everybody down, and Yan Gomes is in the nine-spot having that big day, it just lengthens the lineup.

“And Seiya, the home run. That's got to feel good.”