The last time Christian Bethancourt homered at Wrigley Field, John Lackey had retired 14 straight to open the game before the young Padres catcher hit it onto Waveland Avenue.

It was the lone run as the Cubs lost on May 11, 2016, dropping back-to-back games for the first time in a season that would end in a World Series title.

His next home run was more favorable to the Wrigley Field faithful.

Bethancourt delivered an opposite-field, 3-run home run into the wind as part of a 5-run frame that sparked the Cubs to a 6-3 win over the Cardinals at the Friendly Confines. It’s Bethancourt’s 1st home run as a Cub and his 3rd this season.

“It’s just an unbelievable moment to hit a homer at Wrigley, being on the home side, not on the visitor’s side as I was on prior times,” Bethancourt said after the game. “It’s just an incredible moment.”

[WATCH: Christian Bethancourt details approach in home run at-bat]

The 32-year-old has hardly skipped a beat since joining the Cubs last week after Tomás Nido suffered a knee injury that landed him on the IL. Bethancourt is 4-for-11 (.364) in 3 starts this season and is 2-for-2 in caught stealing. He nabbed Masyn Winn trying to steal second base in the 1st.

“Anything I can do to help the team if it’s either just defensively, hitting, throwing guys out, just helping the pitchers — anything I can do, it’s gonna be my game,” he said. “And it’s something I’m always gonna be bringing to the table and do my best in any way I can.”

It wasn’t an easy ask for Bethancourt. He was designated for assignment on June 21 by the Marlins, released and signed with the Cubs on July 5. Three weeks later, the Cubs selected his contract after Nido’s injury and he’s been quick to adapt.

“As a player, you get an opportunity and you make the most of it and that’s what he’s doing,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And the offense he’s provided in the 3 games he started, he’s contributed to wins. There’s no question about it. Had a good game in Kansas City, a really nice game in Cincinnati and a huge game today.”

That production, especially in the bottom of the order, is welcome for a Cubs offense that has struggled at times this year.

“The dude came out laying down a push bunt in his first Cubbie at-bat. I love that,” Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “Bunt and a double in his first game and backside homer at Wrigley [today], through the wind — not too shabby. And going and catching 9 innings. Catching just requires a lot.

“I think it’s very respectable watching him come in and in a new situation and impact kind of immediately.”