They screamed and shouted after back-to-back home runs by Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in the eighth inning clinched an 11-8 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series.
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The Chicago Cubs third baseman absolutely went off Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds, going 5-for-5 with three home runs and a franchise-record 16 total bases.
Arrieta struggled in his return to Cincinnati, giving up a season-high five runs in five innings, but Bryant drove in six runs again to help the right-hander pull through.
“It’s definitely the best game of my whole life”, said Bryant, who recalled hitting three home runs in a game for the University of San Diego.
The Reds solved their Jake Arrieta problem – the Cubs ace allowed a season-high five runs in five innings nine weeks after throwing a no-hitter in a 16-0 victory over the Reds – only to run into a Bryant problem. Bryant had two home runs and six RBIs against the Reds on April 21, when Arrieta threw a no-hitter.
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4 – At Pittsburgh: A.J. Ellis hit a tiebreaking, two-out infield single that capped a four-run fifth inning, and Los Angeles rallied to beat Pittsburgh and salvage the finale of a four-game series.
Numerous 31,762 fans wore Cubs blue and wanted Bryant to come out of the dugout after his third home run. Joe Adcock (1954) and Lou Boudreau (1946). “And I don’t think that’s ever happened in baseball”.
Bryant, the National League Rookie of the Year last season, might have announced his MVP candidacy this season with a hitting display never before seen in 140 years of franchise history.
“He had a great game”, Price said.
After Bryant homered to center to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead in the third, Arrieta gave that one back, too, this time on the back of a leadoff walk to Zack Cozart. The five runs allowed were his most since he gave up six during a 7-2 loss at Great American Ball Park on August 28, 2014. Arrieta has lasted five innings in each of his past two starts. He also became the youngest Cub to hit more than 20 home runs in a season since Ernie Banks in 1955. With the three homers allowed, the Reds’ bullpen has given up 60 this season, by far the most in the majors. Jon Lester gets the start on the moundtonight for Chicago.
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Jorge Soler took practice on Monday at Great American Ball Park and the reports were positive. He expects to start a rehab assignment soon. The Reds hand the ball to left hander John Lamb who faces the Cubs for the second time in 2016.
