Levine: Addison Russell The Hero In Cubs' Home Opener

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The latest in a series of Cubs heroes saved his best for last, as shortstop Addison Russell turned what looked to be a loss into a victory in the home opener Monday night against the Reds.

Russell connected on the first pitch from Reds relief pitcher Jumbo Diaz in the eighth inning with two out and two on, sending a rocket into the left-field stands for a three-run homer that provided the final margin in a 5-3 victory.

"All I wanted to do was go up there and see something straight," Russell said. "I was just looking to make hard contact. He threw me a fastball in, and I hit it out."

The Cubs were no-hit for 6 2/3 innings by Red youngster Brandon Finnegan before knocking him out in the seventh with two runs. David Ross had the first hit, and a Jason Heyward two-run single in the bottom of the seventh cut Chicago's deficit to 3-2.

"We wanted to put on a good show tonight," Ross said, referring to a packed Wrigley Field crowd of 40,882.  "With all we had going down on the road and to come here and be no-hit that long, we were definitely hoping for better showing than that. The boys kept grinding. That is what we do. We give good at-bats one through nine. That is why we play nine. Even coming over from last year, they never give up. They always give good at-bats and you see what happens."

Russell was the team's leader with six homers during Cactus League play, and no one on the Cubs would be surprised if he regularly started going yard. He had 13 homers last season.

"We just try to stay humble and go about our business in the right way," Russell said. "No one is trying to do way too much. We just get back to the basics of playing baseball and having fun. If you stay loose out there, I think we have a pretty good chance of winning."

Off to a 6-1 start, the Cubs have won 14 of their last 15 regular-season games, dating back to last September. On Monday, left-hander Jon Lester received a no-decision, leaving after six innings of three-run, five-hit baseball.

"It was a great ,great atmosphere," Lester said about his second consecutive home-opening start. "It was almost like playoff baseball, being a little cold and the way the fans were into it. We were lucky enough to give them what they wanted and send them home happy."

With a brand-new clubhouse that spans 30,000 square feet now in use, the Cubs still stay true to their old roots. After the victory, the team had its usual disco party in the area that housed the old clubhouse.

"The party room is good and in effect," Russell said.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.