David Ross wasn’t lying about Nico Hoerner.

“It’s no secret he sets the tone at the top,” David Ross said before Friday’s game in Philadelphia.

Hoerner proved Ross right, going 3-for-6 with 4 RBI in his first game back from the 10-day IL as the Cubs beat the Phillies 10-1 to snap their 5-game losing streak.

“It’s good to be healthy and back on the field,” Hoerner told Elise Menaker after the game. “

With runners on first and third in the top of the 2^nd inning, Hoerner delivered with a double down the left field line to score Christopher Morel and Nick Madrigal, pushing the Cubs’ lead to 4-1. He added a second, 2-run double in the 5^th inning, this one to right field just over the glove of Nick Castellanos and pushing the Cubs’ lead to 8-1.

“I think having Nico in the lineup is a game-changer, truly” Marcus Stroman said. “I think he’s an unbelievable player. He’s dynamic on both sides of the ball and he kinda just sparks us when he’s in there.”

Nico ties a career-high with 4 RBI tonight! pic.twitter.com/Up0E9E95D9

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 20, 2023

The 4 RBI by Hoerner ties a career-high in a game for him — he had done it three other times, on his debut on September 9, 2019, his Wrigley Field debut on September 13, 2019 and Drew Smyly’s near-perfect game earlier this year on April 21. The Cubs have scored 10 or more runs in all those games.

Hoerner and the Cubs’ big day backed up Stroman, who was terrific himself on the mound. Stroman bounced back from his worst outing of the year with a vintage performance. He allowed just 1 run on 3 hits, a pair of walks and 4 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. Stroman lasted just 2.2 innings in his last outing against Minnesota on Sunday.

“I thought Stro was really impressive,” Hoerner said. “We even left some outs out there as a defense out today and he picked us up.

“Just an outing that our team really needed and just a nice, thorough win top to bottom.”