Bryant sets Cubs rookie mark with 87th RBI

PHILADELPHIA -- Kris Bryant established a Cubs single-season rookie record for RBIs when he drove in a run with a double in the fifth inning Friday for his 87th RBI in Chicago's 5-1 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

With the run, Bryant passed Hall of Famer Billy Williams and Geovany Soto, each of whom drove in 86 during their respective rookie seasons in 1961 and 2008. Both Williams and Soto won the National League Rookie of the Year in those seasons.

Bryant struck out in his two at-bats before delivering the RBI double.

"When there's people on base, he becomes an even better hitter," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Bryant. "That's become obvious from the beginning of the year. He strikes out a couple times and then hits a bullet up the middle. You get guys with that kind of mentality, it makes all the difference in the world. He has proven that all season."

Bryant also leads all Major League rookies in RBIs, and is first in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS and game-winning RBIs. He added his 24th homer -- a two-run shot -- as well as an RBI single in Game 2 to push his RBI total to 90.