Kosuke Fukudome hit a three-run homer to contribute to an onslaught as the Chicago Cubs humiliated the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-2 on Friday.
Fukudome capped a four-run first inning with his shot to right off Charlie Morton. He went 1-for-4 and scored on a Jeff Baker two-run single in a 10-run second after drawing a walk with none out. The Cubs snapped a five-game losing skid in the 18-hit attack.
"I got ahead in the count and had the advantage, so I was looking for a pitch I could drive," said Fukudome, who connected on Morton's 3-1 fastball for his 10th homer of the season. "I am not focused on hitting home runs. In fact, I think it is better just to have solid hitting."