MLB Nightly 9: Kris Bryant helps lead Cubs past Pirates with three-hit night

Alec Brzezinski

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MLB Nightly 9: Kris Bryant helps lead Cubs past Pirates with three-hit night image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Fans of baseball in Chicago had quite the day. The Cubs started the party with a 5-2 over the Pirates, as Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler flashed their mighty potential. White Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera then added some fireworks for the South Side with a walkoff hit against the Indians. Cubs fans got to celebrate for a second time, when the team announced the arrival of phenom Addison Russell, who is expected to start at second base Tuesday.

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Impact players

C — Derek Norris, Padres: Norris was an integral part of San Diego's 14-3 smashing of the Rockies. He went 3 for 5 with three runs scored and an RBI.

1B — Joey Votto, Reds: Votto appears to have put his injury problems behind him. He continued his hot start with a 2-for-4 effort, including a two-run home run and a walk.

2B — Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: Pedroia went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI as Boston beat the Orioles 7-1 in a rain-shortened game.

SS — Jed Lowrie, Astros: Lawrie went 2 for 4 with two RBIs in Houston's 7-5 win over the Mariners.

3B — Kris Bryant, Cubs: Bryant went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, a run and a walk in a 5-2 win against the Pirates. He even had a kind-of-sort-of inside-the-park home run on a drive to deep left-center field. Bryant scored on the play, but it was ruled a double with two errors.

OF — Jorge Soler, Cubs: Soler had his second monster game of the season. He went 4 for 5 with two runs scored, raising his average to .320.

DH — Kendrys Morales, Royals: Morales has been on fire this season and remained white-hot Monday, going 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs.

SP — Jake Arrieta, Cubs: Arrieta allowed one run and four hits over seven innings. He struck out seven as he earned the win. 

Key injuries

Tigers closer Joe Nathan (elbow) is not expected to be ready to come off the disabled list when he is eligible on Wednesday.

A's second baseman Ben Zobrist (knee) will likely miss a couple more games after being given a cortisone shot Monday. He's dealing with cartilage issues in his left knee which flared up Sunday and forced him from the game.

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Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett could be headed for the disabled list with a sliced hand. Gennett injured the hand in the shower and needed stitches.

Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson left Monday's game against the Padres due to "mild" plantar fasciitis in his left foot, according to manager Walt Weiss. This came after third baseman Nolan Arenado was a late scratch with soreness in his left wrist. He's considered day to day.

Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy left the game against the Reds in the top of the seventh inning with a left foot injury and is headed to the DL, adding to the team's woes.

Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton on Thursday. Parker is slated to throw 60 pitches. He hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2013 because of recovery from a second Tommy John surgery.

Surprise performers

Good: Reds starter Anthony DeScalfani pitched a gem, allowing no runs and two hits in eight innings while striking out five and walking just one. Cincinnati's win ended a four-game losing streak.

Bad: Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa was rocked for nine runs (seven earned) in just two innings as the Padres piled up 14 runs at Coors Field.

Web gems

The Reds' Bryan Pena showed that catchers can move, too.

Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias showed why he's one of the best defenders in baseball.

Rays outfielder Sam Fuld laid out to haul this in.

Fact of the day

The Tigers became the first team this season to reach 11 wins, coming from behind to beat the Yankees 2-1.

Reactions

A scary moment in the Cubs-Pirates game: A fan was hit in the head by a Starlin Castro foul ball. The fan was carried off on a stretcher and taken to an area hospital, where she was conscious and in stable condition. 

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant on his priceless goat commercial.

White Sox fans and players celebrate after Melky Cabrera's walkoff single.

Off the field

Giants second baseman Joe Panik took a selfie with a tiger on his day off. It's a good thing that cage was there.

The Rockies optioned relief pitcher Scott Oberg to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Scores

American League

Red Sox 7, Orioles 1, 7 innings

Tigers 2, Yankees 1

Royals 7, Twins 1

White Sox 4, Indians 3

Athletics 6, Angels 3

Astros 7, Mariners 5

National League

Reds 6, Brewers 1

Cubs 5, Pirates 2

Padres 14, Rockies 3

A look ahead 

Tuesday's top three games (all times Eastern):

Cardinals (8-3) at Nationals (6-7), 7:05 p.m.: Lance Lynn and the Cardinals head to the nation's capital to take on Gio Gonzalez and a Nationals team that is getting healthy.

Yankees (6-7) at Tigers (11-2), 7:08 p.m.: Justin Verlander (triceps) was originally scheduled to start this game but has been scratched. Kyle Lobstein will start in his place.

Braves (8-4) at Mets (10-3), 7:10 p.m.: The Mets are riding an eight-game winning streak and will begin a series against the surprising Braves, who will send struggling starter Trevor Cahill to the mound.

Alec Brzezinski