{
  "id": 726960,
  "title": "Cubs’ Alex Bregman continues second-half surge with first career 3-homer game",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/cubs-alex-bregman-continues-second-half-surge-with-first-career-3",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T03:27:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/baseball/2026/08/12/cubs-alex-bregman-continues-second-half-surge-with-first-career-3-homer-game"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Washington (AP) — Alex Bregman didn't fret as he trudged through a lackluster first half during his initial months with the Chicago Cubs. He proved that mindset on Wednesday night.\n\nThe veteran validated his attitude by hitting three home runs in a single game, marking his first career achievement of such a feat, while leading the Cubs to a 12-6 victory over the Washington Nationals. This second-half surge continued a remarkable streak in recent weeks, propelling Bregman to the top spot in the majors with nine hits in 16 games since July 27. With six home runs and 17 RBIs in that timeframe, he holds the distinction of having the most hits during that period.\n\nBregman's seventh RBIs of the season were a career-best, as the Cubs scored in just three innings. The outfielder's impact was evident in each rally. After walking in his first two at-bats on Wednesday, Bregman launched a three-run homer into the Washington bullpen in left field for a four-run fifth inning. In his subsequent plate appearance, he drove in two runs with a left field shot off Yovanny Cruz as the Cubs extended their lead to 9-4. In the eighth inning, Bregman drove in Seiya Suzuki once again, hitting a homer in his third consecutive at-bat.\n\nThe shortstop Dansby Swanson, who also homered in the eighth inning, praised Bregman's abilities, stating, \"We watched it in spring, with what he's capable of doing, and you’ve seen it his whole career. He’s a special player when he's going right.\"\n\nBregman's ninth career multi-homer game and second against Washington this season were a testament to his prowess. He is the second Cub to hit three home runs in a game, following Swanson's effort against San Diego on July 1. With nine homers in 26 games since July 11, Bregman's recent form has been instrumental in the team's success. Manager Craig Counsell remarked, \"We have a different guy who can do that any day, maybe. Dansby’s done it. Pete (Crow-Armstrong)’s certainly done it. Ian (Happ)’s done it. Seiya’s done it. It’s pretty cool and that’s a great game. He definitely drove the bus today.\"",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}