Soriano’s three homers lead Cubs

When Alfonso Soriano had only four home runs in 190 at-bats through May, he was starting to hear boos from impatient Chicago Cubs fans.

Soriano proved with three homers in his first three at-bats Friday night that the early-season power slump is history.

Soriano finished with four hits in five at-bats, and the Cubs continued their strong road play by beating the Atlanta Braves, 9-1, Friday night.

The Cubs have won five of their last six games, including two straight over the Braves. The Braves have lost six of seven, including four in a row in which they have scored a combined seven runs.

Soriano is 13 for 23 (.565) with four homers as the Cubs have won four of five games on their trip. He hit homers in three consecutive games last week and has six in June.

Soriano led off the game with a homer on Lance Cormier’s first pitch before adding another first-pitch homer in the second inning. His third homer came in the fourth inning, leaving him in excellent position to become the 16th major league player -- and the first Cub -- to hit four homers in a game.

“I was trying to hit it hard and make a good swing and see what happens,” said Soriano, who walked, grounded out and singled to left in his final three plate appearances.