As the Cubs figure out the innings puzzle for the last five weeks of the regular season, right-hander Javier Assad is expected to play an important role. But the team optioned him Saturday to Triple-A Iowa after his best start of the season and recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks.

Kyle Tucker went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double and five RBIs, and Reese McGuire hit a grand slam and also drove in five runs as the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 12-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim,

After being benched against the Brewers, Tucker has rediscovered his ability to hunt certain pitches and launch those balls into the seats.