CHICAGO — Starlin Castro’s bat has come to life.
Whether batting sixth or second or somewhere in between, the Chicago Cubs shortstop has become quite productive at the plate as of late. He shook off an 0-for-9 start and improved his average to .295 after going 1-for-5 in the Cubs’ 7-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. “I’ve got my feeling back,” said Castro, now in his fifth Cubs season. “I just try to hit the ball on the barrel every time. I don’t want to try to hit homers.”
Castro, who hit a career-low .245 in 2013, is 7-for-12 in his last three games. Batting sixth in Tuesday’s 7-6 loss to the Pirates, he went 3-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs. “I think it’s just like anything, he’s starting to get into a rhythm,” Cubs manager Rick Renteria said.
Castro moved up to the No. 2 spot Wednesday.