MLB Early Recaps: Bryant’s big day fuels Cubs


Aug 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (right) celebrates with left fielder Matt Szczur (20) after hitting two-run home run off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zach Davies (not pictured) during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (right) celebrates with left fielder Matt Szczur (20) after hitting two-run home run off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zach Davies (not pictured) during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO — Kris Bryant went 5-for-5 with two home runs while right-hander Jake Arrieta picked up his 15th win as the Chicago Cubs completed a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers with Thursday’s 9-6 victory.

Bryant, who also scored four times and collected five RBI, now has 30 home runs to tie Colorado’s Nolan Arenado for the National League lead.

Brewers starter Zach Davies (9-6) suffered his second straight loss after giving up seven runs in a four-inning outing.

Aroldis Chapman allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his seventh Cubs’ save and 27th of the season.

Tigers 4, Red Sox 3

DETROIT — Manager Brad Ausmus pinch-ran for Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the bottom of the eighth inning and was rewarded. Andrew Romine walked with the bases loaded and two out to force home the winning run in Detroit’s victory over Boston.

It was the Tigers’ first victory following three straight losses and the first time the Red Sox had tasted defeat in seven games.

Detroit had scored just one run in each of three straight defeats by Kansas City and looked on its way to possibly a fourth when the game entered the eighth tied at 1-1.

Boston scored twice in the top of the inning only to see Detroit answer with three.