The Chicago Cubs have all but locked up a playoff spot in the National League for the first time since 2008. Two key figures on the team - third baseman Kris Bryant and starting pitcher Jake Arrieta - made their mark on the MLB during last night's victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Bryant got the night off to a good start with a two-run home run in the third inning off Brewers' right-hander Tyler Cravy. That blast not only gave the Cubs the lead, but it also broke the team's single-season rookie home run record. It was Bryant's 26th of the season, which passed Hall of Famer Billy Williams, who smacked 25 homers for Chicago in his rookie season back in 1961.
Check out Bryant's historic homer below:
Bryant, 23, is batting .278/.371/.505 with 85 runs scored, 26 home runs, 98 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 141 games this year as a rookie. He also leads all MLB rookies in RBIs. This is just the beginning of what looks like an illustrious career with the Cubs.
"He's just scratching the surface," Williams said of Bryant, via Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. "In the Minor Leagues, you see the ball and hit it. Too many hitters come to the big leagues and try to guess with the pitchers. They need to do what they did in the Minor Leagues."
The fans demanded a curtain call from Bryant, who came out from the dugout and waved to the erupting crowd.
"That was a special moment for me to get up on the steps and get that recognition," Bryant told Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. "It was something I'll never forget."
As Bryant continues his tremendous rookie campaign, teammate Jake Arrieta is making a push for the NL Cy Young award. The right-hander earned his 20th win of the season yesterday after tossing a three-hit shutout against the Brewers and became the first Cubs pitcher to win 20 games since Jon Leiber back in 2001.
He's now 20-6 with a 1.88 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 220 strikeouts in 31 starts (216 innings) this season in by far the best campaign of his career.
Check out Arrieta's highlight reel from last night, during which he struck out 11 batters.
"I was joking around with [Arrieta] after the game and told him he always has to outdo me," Bryant added, via Muskat.
And Arrieta was nothing but humble during his postgame interview with the media.
"I know the results have been good," Arrieta said, via Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. "But I don't dwell on it for too long because (Wednesday) I'm getting ready for Pittsburgh. At the end of the day, the body of work has been good. It's been what my team has needed. I'm fortunate enough to be in situations where the team's scoring runs, I'm pitching well and the wins add up. It's one of those things that doesn't happen often, but you try to appreciate it when (it does)."
According to Elias Sports Bureau, last night marked Arrieta's 18th consecutive quality start, the longest streak by a Cubs pitcher since earned runs became official in 1912.
The Cubs will host the Pirates during a crucial three-game set this weekend, which could determine who has home-field advantage for the NL wild-card matchup.
