ANAHEIM, Calif. - It was a swing more than a month in the making, a catalyst for a dramatic turnaround and possibly the antidote to an extended offensive affliction no one on Chicago’s North Side could have seen coming.

But Kyle Tucker’s first home run in 34 days – in the Cubs' 3-2 win on Friday over the Angels – wasn’t exactly cathartic.

While his teammates gleefully slapped hands and smacked the visiting dugout railing after he pulled a fastball from Tyler Anderson 405 feet into the seats in right field, it was not until the even-keeled outfielder rounded third on his stoic jaunt that Tucker finally cracked a smile.

"We’ll see how tomorrow goes," he deadpanned in the aftermath, careful not to make too much of a single performance.

The next day was even better.

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