The night belonged to Jake Arrieta.
But at least one powerful moment on Tuesday night belonged to Cubs rookie Kris Bryant.
His two-run homer in the third inning staked Arrieta to an early lead during what would become a 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and Arrieta’s 20th win over the season.
Bryant’s 26th home run also gave the presumptive National League Rookie of the Year the franchise’s rookie home run record – breaking the 54-year-old mark set by Hall of Famer Billy Williams.
Williams was at Tuesday’s game, but Bryant said he didn’t get a chance to talk to him.
“But then Theo [Epstein] came up to me and said he was with him when I hit it, and he was really happy for me,” Bryant said. “I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow or down the road.”
Meanwhile, the third baseman team president Epstein drafted second overall in 2013 also drove home a run in the eighth with his 30th double of the season – pushing his team-leading RBI total to 98 and his slugging percentage to .505.
He and teammate/pal Anthony Rizzo rank 1-2 on the team in batting, homers, doubles, RBIs and OPS.
Rizzo and Bryant were tied with 95 RBIs before Tuesday.
“Me and Anthony have been joking about that,” Bryant said of their race to 100. “It really is a distraction, but it’s one of those things where it’s always on the scoreboard, you see it every day. Last year I struggled with it in the minors. I really wanted to get there, and I ended up getting there. I learned you really can’t worry about it. Just go out there and play, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
“But 100 RBIs is definitely something to be proud of if I can get there.”
Alfonso Soriano was the last Cub with 100 RBIs (108 in 2012).
The last time the Cubs had two players with 100: 2004 when Moises Alou (106) and Aramis Ramirez (103) did it.
