Bryant BM955061

The Pirates welcomed the Cubs on an afternoon game on September 4th, 2017. In the top of the first inning, Kris Bryant batted with two outs and the bases empty. He fouled the first pitch out of play before this ball entered the game. It was taken for an 87.1 MPH ball and then blasted to right fielder Jordan Luplow on a 96.6 MPH fastball for a double. This was the 96th career double for Bryant. However, the ball stayed in play as Anthony Rizzo stepped up next. Rizzo saw this same ball for four pitches, fouling the fourth attempt, and retiring the ball from play. Ultimately Rizzo would strike out to end the inning. Later in the game, Bryant again doubled, in the third inning, again with the bases empty, and once again, Chicago could not build any momentum. The Pirates would win this game by a score of 12-0. But all was not lost for the Cubs, as they still held a 3.5 game lead in the NL central with their 75-62 record.