CHICAGO -- Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs turned their holiday into a home run. Eight of them, to be exact. Busch hit three longballs, Pete Crow-Armstrong connected twice and the Cubs went deep a franchise-record eight times to hammer the St. Louis Cardinals 11-3 on Friday for their fourth straight victory.

The Cubs set a franchise record with eight home runs in an 11-3 rout of the Reds on Friday, including three from first baseman Michael Busch.

An update to the previous announcement,” a Cubs official said into the press box microphone. “Michael Busch’s home run now represents the 26th time this has happened.” Such was the nature of Friday’s 4th of July game between the Cubs and the St.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara shows up to Wrigley Field to throw first pitch into the dirt before the Cubs' Saturday afternoon game against Cardinals

After pulling and bouncing the ball in a throw to the Cubs mascot, the New Orleans Saints running back held out his glove and requested the ball back for a second pitch. He waved to the crowd and fired a better pitch, but still missed the strike zone by a few feet.

Ahead of Saturday's National League matchup, former Tennessee and current New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara threw out a ceremonial first pitch.