Busch homers in his 4th straight game to power Cubs past Mariners 3-2

Rookie Michael Busch homered for the fourth straight game, Javier Assad struck out six and the Chicago Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2.

Reliever Adbert Alzolay picked off pinch-runner Julio Rodríguez to end the game after double plays ended two rallies.

Busch’s two-run homer put the Cubs up 3-0 and helped them to their second straight win to take the series from the Mariners.

The franchise record for consecutive games with a home run is five. Seattle starter Luis Castillo lost his fourth straight appearance to start the season. Jorge Polanco hit a two-run homer for Seattle.

RHP Ben Brown (0-0, 6.10) takes the mound for Chicago  to start a three-game series at Arizona.

He has allowed one run in his last 8 2/3 innings.