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Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant makes history in a Cubs win

By Stacey Gotsulias

Jun 27, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (L) hits a double against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) watches at right. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (L) hits a double against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart (16) watches at right. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kris Bryant made both Chicago Cubs and major league history in an 11-8 Cubs victory over the Cincinnati Reds last night.

Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant had quite a night in Cincinnati. He became the first major leaguer to hit three home runs and two doubles in a game. Yes, we’ll repeat that for you: Kris Bryant became the first major leaguer to ever hit three home runs and two doubles in one game. Not only that, Bryant’s three home runs also unseated Hall of Famer Ernie Banks from the Cubs record books. In Monday night’s victory, Bryant became the youngest Cub to hit three home runs in a game. Banks hit three home runs in a game in 1955, but just happened to be 10 days older than Bryant is right now.

This isn’t the first time Bryant’s had a multiple home run game in Cincinnati this season and it’s also not the first time he’s done it in support of Cubs starter Jake Arrieta. On April 21, Bryant hit two home runs, including one grand slam, in a 16-0 win. Last night’s game was a bit sweatier for the Cubs and Arrieta, who struggled a bit but also went 2-for-3 with a home run of his own in the fifth inning.

But back to Bryant and his feat. He started off his night with a double in the top of the first—his 18th of the season—which scored Jason Heyward. His first home run was, according to Statcast, a 403-foot first-pitch solo shot in the third off Reds starter Dan Straily that went to left center. Bryant came up in the fourth against Straily once again and that time he hit a long three-run shot that scored Heyward and Arrieta. That one landed in the second deck in left field and traveled a whopping 444 feet.

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Bryant started off the top of the sixth with a double off Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen, but was left stranded at the third. In the top of the eighth, Bryant stepped up to the plate against Reds reliever Ross Ohlendorf and hit his third home run of the night and 21st of the season. That one landed in the second deck as well and traveled 410 feet.

He finished the game 5-for-5 with six RBI. He also scored four times. Bryant now has 10 home runs in June which is the most he’s had in any calendar month so far in his career.

Bryant’s 16 total bases were the most by a major leaguer in a game this season. Josh Hamilton was the last player to get 16 total bases when he hit four home runs in a game against the Orioles on May 8, 2012.  Bryant’s three homers and five hits were career highs and his six RBI matched his total from the April 21st game. And according to ESPN’s Stats and Info department, Bryant’s five extra base hits were also the most for a Cub since way back in 1885.

Daren Willman who is the Director of Baseball Research and Development for MLB.com and who also founded the website Baseball Savant, tweeted the exit velocity and distances for all of Bryant’s hits last night:

  • 105.1 MPH 403ft home run
  • 106.4 MPH double
  • 107.1 MPH 444ft home run
  • 105.1 MPH 410ft home run
  • 88.7 MPH double

Next: Competition for the Cubs in the AL

The Cubs were on a bit of a skid going into the game on Monday night in Cincinnati, losing six out of their last seven games, and nearly being supplanted by the San Francisco Giants in the race for the best record in the National League, but thanks to Kris Bryant’s Herculean performance, the Cubs and their fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

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