Outfielder Rafael Ortega becoming force for Cubs

Since outfielder Rafael Ortega joined the Cubs, all he has done is hit. When he first arrived, he was merely a bench option. But the more opportunities he got, the more he produced.

Ortega has become an everyday player for the Cubs after their moves at the trade deadline and has been arguably their best offensive player since the All-Star break.

‘‘I’m grateful to the Chicago Cubs for giving me this opportunity to be here,’’ Ortega said after the Cubs’ 4-2 loss to the Brewers in Game 1 of a doubleheader Tuesday. ‘‘But what I’m trying to show them is I can do this every day. I can maintain this same type of production moving forward.’’

Ortega, 30, went 3-for-4 in the opener and entered Game 2…