CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Proving he's worthy of being an everyday player has been uphill battle for Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. since he arrived in Chicago in 2016. That will likely continue to be the case, but Almora is making the most of the opportunities that he's receiving lately in his quest for more regular playing time.
Almora hit a tiebreaking grand slam -- the first of his career -- in the fifth inning to help propel the Cubs to a come-from-behind 8-4 win against the Phillies at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. Almora's blast came off Phillies left-hander Cole Irvin and broke a 3-3 deadlock after the Cubs trailed 3-0 early.
"He had got me earlier with bases loaded, two outs," Almora said. "He had been getting me out with changeups. So I said to myself, get the changeup up."
Almora, 25, is hitting .275 with five homers, 18 RBIs and a .750 OPS in 45 games. He's been hot lately, hitting .458 (11-of-24) with three homers and eight RBIs in the past eight games. Since April 25, he's hitting .337.
As Almora has surged, manager Joe Maddon has found a slot for him in the lineup more often, most recently in the sixth slot. In past years, Almora started for the Cubs in center field against almost all left-handed starters but only had a part-time role when his team faced right-handers.
"He has done really well there, and there is a lot of action for him at six," Maddon said before the game. "He presents the hit-and-run right there -- you feel the ball will get moved. He is hitting the ball against righties now, not just against left-handed pitching. I kind of like him in the middle of everything."
On Wednesday, Almora floated around the bases after his grand slam, then took a curtain call in front of 39,246 screaming fans.
"Those are the things you dream about as a kid," Almora said of his first MLB grand slam. "That curtain call went by so fast. It is something I will never forget."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
