The Chicago Cubs hit eight home runs in their 11-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Independence Day. Michael Busch held claim to three of those home runs.
A three-home run game is not easy to accomplish. It was just the second multi-homer game in Busch’s career, and his first three-homer game. His only other multi-homer game in September last season, against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He became the first Cubs first baseman to have a three-home run game since Ernie Banks in 1963, according to Marquee Sports’ Christopher Kamka.
Banks’ three-home run game came against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 9. Banks played 19 seasons for the Cubs. He is a Hall of Famer and was a two-time MVP, a Gold Glove Award winner and a 14-time All-Star. Busch is still very young in his career, but being in the company of Banks is a great accomplishment.
Busch became the sixth player in MLB history to hit three home runs on July 4, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale. He joined Jim Tabor, Hank Leiber, Manny Jimenez, Moises Alou and Drew Stubbs. Busch became the third Cubs player to have a three-homer game against the Cardinals. Alou and Leiber were the other two, meaning all three games came on Independence Day.
Busch went 4-for-4 overall and tallied five RBIs. The Cubs set a franchise record for home runs in a game with eight. Six of their home runs came off Miles Mikolas. They tied the 1977 Boston Red Sox for the most home runs ever hit on July 4.
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The Cubs grew their lead in the National League Central to 4 1/2 games. However, that number will change after the Milwaukee Brewers play the Miami Marlins tonight.
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