Maddon: Bryant too classy to accept visiting curtain call
CINCINNATI - When Kris Bryant reached the dugout after his record-setting third homer, thousands of Cubs fans in the stands cheered for a curtain call. A few teammates wanted him to take a bow, too.
Nope. That was the only thing Chicago's top hitter wouldn't do on his historic night.
Bryant became the first major leaguer to hit three homers and two doubles in a game, and Jake Arrieta added a solo shot in the ballpark where he threw a no-hitter in April, setting up an 11-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Bryant's 16 total bases were a Cubs record, and his five hits marked a career high. He also became the third player since 1900 to have at least three homers and a total of five extra-base hits.
''The last couple of weeks haven't been what I've wanted, so I figured I'm due,'' said Bryant, who hit three homers one time during a college game with San Diego.
Bryant doubled home a run in the first, hit a solo homer in the third and added a three-run shot deep into the upper deck in left field in the fourth off Dan Straily.
Most of the 31,762 fans wore Cubs blue and demanded a curtain call after the third homer. Bryant wouldn't oblige, considering it inappropriate on the road.
''He enjoys the moment, but he doesn't go over the top with it,'' Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. ''He's very old school. He doesn't spike the ball in the end zone. He just lays it down or hands it to the official.''
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)