Bryant dialing up power with regularity on road
ST. LOUIS -- There's no place like the road for the Cubs' Kris Bryant.
Bryant hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to help the Cubs beat the Cardinals, 9-8, on Wednesday at Busch Stadium. It was his fourth home run on the nine-game road trip and raised his season total to 10.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Bryant and other #ASGWorthy players
"He had a little bit of a lull a week ago," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Bryant. "He's had really good at-bats. From my perspective, he's not chasing pitches out of the zone."
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year is well ahead of last year's home run pace. He didn't hit his 10th last season until June 22. Bryant also moved into a tie with Anthony Rizzo for the team lead in RBIs with 35.
The Cubs led, 6-4, in the sixth when Addison Russell and pinch-hitter Matt Szczur each singled off Seung Hwan Oh, and two outs later, Bryant launched his home run on a 3-2 slider off Oh over the left-field fence.
"I wasn't really expecting [a slider]," Bryant said. "I know looking at video of him, he pitches well with his fastball. I got the barrel on it."
He now has six road home runs after hitting five total last season.
"It's all coincidence," Bryant said of his home vs. road numbers. "I don't have an answer for that. Maybe I'm getting used to this stadium and all the others."