Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is not worried about his team's ability to bounce back from a recent slump. (Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is not worried about his team's ability to bounce back from a recent slump. (Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

WATCH: Kyle Schwarber on his homer, Kris Bryant admits baserunning mistake


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — While the Chicago Cubs suffered a disheartening 3-1 loss to the rival Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, there were multiple positive in-game moments that made for a special night at the Friendly Confines. The opening game of the 2019 Crosstown Classic between the North Siders and the South Siders saw one Cub, in particular, experience a memorable evening at the ballpark, as veteran starting pitcher Cole Hamels tallied his 2,500th career strikeout in the third inning and received a standing ovation from the fans, as well as his teammates, because of it.

Hamels became just the 10th left-hander in the history of the majors to reach the 2,500-strikeout mark, and he tipped his cap in appreciation of the rousing ovation that he received after accomplishing the impressive feat. In his postgame media session, Hamels was complimentary of the catchers whom he has worked with over the years and attributed his lofty strikeout total to his good fortune of being able to pitch for winning teams throughout his career.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead over the White Sox in the bottom of the first, thanks to a solo home run skied by leadoff man Kyle Schwarber on the first pitch thrown to him. Schwarber has been hitting the ball quite well as of late and has tabbed several homers out of the leadoff spot since becoming the regular leadoff hitter for the Cubs in late May. Interestingly, Schwarber credited his patience at the plate and avoidance of swinging for the fences all of the time with being the primary factors behind his recent home-run uptick.

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant went 3-for-4 as part of a solid plate performance on Tuesday, and he was not perturbed whatsoever by the defeat suffered at the hands of the White Sox, which dropped the North Siders to 2-6 in their last eight games. Telling reporters that he finds it wise for big-league teams to "ride the waves" brought on by the highs and the lows, Bryant referenced the Cubs' talented roster with being the main reason why the club's recent slump should be of no concern.

Bryant was much more troubled when asked about a mistake that he made in the eighth inning on Tuesday, which saw him pout while loafing to first base after thinking that he had just hit a flyout. Instead, the popup landed in between three White Sox defenders for a bloop single, but Bryant was unable to make it to second base, which he would have been able to do with ease had he been hustling.

Thereafter, first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit into an inning-ending double play that was made possible by Bryant being on first base at the time, and the game remained tied 1-1. The White Sox proceeded to take a 3-1 lead on a go-ahead 2-run homer in the top of the ninth, which culminated in a win for the South Siders. When asked about his lackluster baserunning effort on the bloop hit, Bryant admitted that it was his fault, saying that he "should have been on second base."

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