Lackey’s strong finish earns slugfest win in 1st start with Cubs

PHOENIX – After John Lackey struggled early before getting through six innings to win his first start as a Cub, an Arizona media member asked two-time World Series winner whether nerves in his first start for the Cubs were a factor.

“You better talk to somebody else about nerves,” Lackey said with a laugh.

It took three innings, but John Lackey finally showed up for the Cubs Thursday night, in time to benefit from another big offensive night by teammates and earn a 14-6 victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

That he made those adjustments to retire 11 of the final 13 he faced is part of a function of that “nerves” attitude. And a large part of why Joe Maddon believes Lackey will “prove to be one of the best” signings of the winter among free agents across baseball.

“The story’s about the offense, man. It was unbelievable,” said Lackey, who gave up six runs early but retired 11 of his final 13 to get through six innings. “These guys can swing it. Fourteen runs, air-tight defense – I’ll take care of the rest.

“You definitely know with our offense you don’t have to be perfect,” he said. “But I’d like to be better than that.”

Lackey’s first pitch since the Cubs signed him away from the Cardinals on a two-year free agent deal was a fastball up in the zone that Jean Segura hit the opposite way for a homer to right field.

The crooked numbers got worse before Lackey got better settled into his command and the right mix with pitches.

He trailed 6-4 after three innings, but he and the bullpen held it there while the lineup scored five in the fourth, another in the seventh and four more in the ninth.

Anthony Rizzo tied his career high with six RBIs and reached base five times: getting hit by a pitch, drawing a walk, and hitting a single, triple and three-run homer.

The top five hitters in the Cubs’ order reached base 20 times.

“The lineup’s so deep,” Lackey said. “You’ve got a guy like Addie [Russell] hitting eighth.”

Russell singled, double and walked, scored twice and drove in two.

“It’s a legit lineup,” Lackey said.

It’s a lineup that will have to withstand the loss of young lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber for at least a few weeks after the left fielder was carted off the field Thursday with ankle and knee injuries following a collision with center fielder Dexter Fowler in the second.

“That’s a tough one for sure. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious,” Lackey said.

Meanwhile, manager Joe Maddon has the depth in his lineup to get through, if the 29 runs through three games is even close to any indication of what it’s capable of.

Lackey (1-0) was encouraged overall, at least with the finish, of his first start as a Cub.

“I felt great physically,” he said. “Moving forward, I like my chances if I feel that good physically.”