Entering Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was having a hard time getting wood on the ball, but thanks to one of his teammates, his fortunes changed Wednesday.

Rizzo broke out of a 2-for-26 slump by hitting a fifth-inning solo home run off Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Pedro Baez - while using the bat of teammate Matt Szczur.

''I know Szczur's bat has a lot of hits in it,'' Rizzo said postgame. ''I've done it a few times this year, just switching up the bat, switching up the mindset.''

Rizzo also knocked in two more runs with a single in the sixth inning, so perhaps Szczur won't be getting his lumber back any time soon.