Rodriguez Leads Cubs’ Home Run Binge at Enron

Henry Rodriguez has a new favorite ballpark.

Rodriguez hit one of Chicago’s four home runs in the first inning and later had a grand slam as the Cubs roughed up Jose Lima and the Houston Astros, 12-3, Thursday.

“This place is a lot better for hitters than the Astrodome,” he said. “All you have to do here is get the ball in the air down the lines and it’s a home run.”

There have been 46 home runs hit in 12 games at Enron Field. Rodriguez connected three times this week at the park.

In the eighth inning, Rodriguez was hit in the back by a pitch from Doug Henry. The plunking left a red welt.

“I’ve got a tattoo to remember this one,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think he did it on purpose.”

The Cubs tied a team record set in 1930 with four homers in an inning. Eric Young and Ricky Gutierrez began the game with home runs, Rodriguez hit a two-run drive and Damon Buford’s solo shot made the score 5-0.

Rodriguez tagged Lima (1-4) for a grand slam into the upper deck in right field for a 10-0 lead in the fourth. His fifth lifetime slam gave him a career-high six runs batted in.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Astro Manager Larry Dierker said. “It was almost over before it began. Now we go on the road and we get a chance to see if the ballpark’s got us psyched out or if we’re just playing this badly. I don’t think it’s the ballpark.”

Lima, 21-10 last season, has lost four consecutive starts. The 12 runs he gave up broke the club record of 10 set by pitching coach Vern Ruhle in 1980 and tied by Bob Forsch in 1989.

“That’s not the same Jose Lima I remember,” Rodriguez said. “I think he’s thinking too much and trying to hit spots. He’ll bounce back. I know him and he’s a competitor.”

Lima also set a team records by giving up five home runs and four homers in the first inning. He gave up 13 hits in five innings.

“I made a lot of mistakes. I don’t know what’s wrong. It’s not the ballpark. It’s up here,” he said, pointing to his head.

“I’ll be glad to get on the road and get out of this month. This month hasn’t been kind to me. But I’m not going to give up on myself. It can’t get worse.”

Jon Lieber (2-2) pitched a five-hitter for the Cubs. He struck out seven and walked none.

“Jon showed you can get guys out if you make good pitches no matter where you’re playing,” Cub Manager Don Baylor said. “Our guys really love this ballpark. We’ve been struggling lately, so taking two of three here is a positive for us.”