Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant sets record in win over Cardinals

Cubs beat Cards ace Wacha to take series

The Chicago Cubs are one of the few teams that can feel confident when the St. Louis Cardinals send their ace to the mound. They once again got to Michael Wacha, tagging him for four runs in five innings, including back-to-back home runs from Jorge Soler and Kris Bryant. The Cardinals 16-game winner has had his struggles against the Cubs, allowing 16 earned runs in 21 innings for a 6.86 ERA. Against the rest of the league? 2.86.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
• Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele’s workload soon
• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel

Things got a little more dramatic in the ninth than expected when Hector Rondon was ejected after hitting a batter, the third of the game for the Cubs. He and Joe Maddon were both tossed as warning were already issued. Zac Rosscup then came in and allowed a two-run home run to Matt Carpenter, and a sacrifice fly later cut it to one. But Addison Russell made a fantastic play, diving to his left to field and then toss the ball quickly to Javier Baez for the final out to secure the win.

Bryant set another Cubs’ rookie record with his 25th home run, tying him with Billy Williams and his rookie season of 1961. Bryant recently surpassed Williams RBI total for that season this past weekend in Philadelphia. The legend of Bryant continues to grow.

The Pirates maintained their one-game lead for the top Wild Card spot by beating the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw behind a strong outing from Francisco Liriano. The three-team race down the stretch should continue to be one of the most exciting ones this season.

These stories and more from around the league:

‘Cubs go back-to-back to win series from Cardinals’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Bryant ties longstanding rookie home run record’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Dodgers fall to Pirates, 3-2′ – Dodgers Way

‘If the season ended today…’ – MLB.com

#Cubs on Social Media