May 26--Kris Bryant usually doesn't show much emotion, but the Cubs rookie third baseman made a point of letting home plate umpire Ryan Blakney know Monday that he was struck by a pitch Blakney originally ruled Bryant swung at for a third strike.
Replays confirmed Bryant's contention, which allowed the Cubs to mount a ninth-inning rally before falling 2-1 to the Nationals.
"I knew it hit me," Bryant said. "I felt it on my wrist. I usually don't say much, but that's an important situation. I'm a leadoff hitter trying to get on base. That's all I wanted to do. After an at-bat like that and you're battling, it's nice to have the replay work like that."
Unfortunately for the Cubs, Drew Storen retired Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro and Jorge Soler in succession to earn his National League-leading 15th save.
Rondon rebounds: In his first appearance since blowing his third save Saturday night, Cubs closer Hector Rondon pitched a perfect ninth, capped by his strikeout of Michael Taylor on a 98 mph fastball.
"I have better focus about what I need to do," said Rondon, who said he stayed compact in his delivery. "I'll try to be the same the next game and try to keep that rhythm."
Heating up: Soler is batting .412 over his past four games and .308 in May after a .247 mark in April.
