Bryant homers twice as Cubs pummel Brewers
Kris Bryant (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Bryant homers twice as Cubs pummel Brewers


by - Correspondent -

CHICAGO -- The Cubs convincingly blew out the Brewers today 13-6. The Brewers’ starter, Chase Anderson (2-1, 4.25 ERA), could not stem the flow of runs from a potent Cubs lineup. Ben Zobrist led off the game with a long home run to right-center field and was followed by a walk from Kyle Schwarber, a single from Kris Bryant and a double by Ian Happ. The only inning the Cubs did not a score a run was the second inning (not including the bottom of the ninth).

Jake Arrieta (5-3, 4.80 ERA) did not have to pitch very well to earn the win, but he did anyway allowing just one run (zero earned) over six innings with six strikeouts. Arrieta has been having problems with allowing a lot of fly balls, but he was able to limit the Brewers to just one extra-base hit, a double by Jonathan Villar in the first inning. Arrieta was able to work quickly and with ease after the first inning until the fifth when Eric Thames brought in the first run on a fielder’s choice.

The Brewers were able to knock around Cubs’ call up Dylan Floro in the ninth inning. They grabbed five runs on six hits, but Floro managed to work out of giving up any more. His previous appearance was against the Rockies when he gave up only one run in 4.1 innings. Joe Maddon brought him in to give him some extra work, but I don’t think that was exactly what he had in mind.

Every Cubs starter had a hit today, and Kris Bryant launched two more long balls to bring his total up to 10 for the season. Bryant won the NL MVP award last season partially due to his home run hitting prowess and will certainly be in the running again if he can keep up his average which sits at .303 after this game.

Jason Heyward also returned to the lineup after a knuckle injury sidelined him for 12 games. He did not look at all out of place getting one hit and two walks in his 5 plate appearances. Heyward isn’t slugging very well this season at just .373, but with the power in this lineup he doesn’t necessarily have to. Just so long as he continues to get on base and play gold glove outfield defense, the Cubs won’t have to worry.

The Cubs will welcome the newly resurgent Giants (8 wins in their last 11 games) to town for four games. Ty Blach (1-2, 4.15 ERA) will face veteran John Lackey (4-3, 4.37 ERA) on Monday night at 7:05 PM CDT.

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