Bryant leaves yard in his Triple-A debut

Iowa Cubs fans already have gotten to know one marquee infield prospect this season. It didn't take long for Kris Bryant to introduce himself as another.

In his Pacific Coast League debut, the Cubs' No. 2 prospect went opposite field with his first Triple-A home run as Iowa rolled by El Paso, 6-2, on Thursday night.

"I went up there today figuring I was due," Bryant told the Des Moines Register. "I haven't hit one in a while, the home runs I have been hitting were in the [Southern League] Home Run Derby. You have to take that attitude with baseball, and that's what I did today."

Just two days ago, Bryant was launching balls out of the Double-A circuit's showcase before the Cubs informed the third baseman that he'd be moving up to Iowa to join Chicago's top prospect, shortstop Javier Baez.

Bryant had nothing to show through his first three trips to the plate against El Paso's Jason Lane, who made two relief appearances for San Diego on June 3 and 6.

"I had to get the jitters out," Bryant told the newspaper. "I mean, he's a good pitcher. He pitched in the big leagues, I think, a couple weeks ago. He kept us off balance, had control and threw some strikes. We have to give him some credit, but I'm figuring it out."

Tsuyoshi Wada (7-4) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two over 6 2/3 innings, and the Cubs took control in the game's middle innings.

Josh Vitters singled in Baez in the fourth and Chris Valaika added a sacrifice fly to give Iowa the lead for good in the fifth. No. 6 Cubs prospect Arismendy Alcantara singled in two runs in the sixth before Bryant got into the mix.

In the seventh, facing the Chihuahuas' Branch Kloess, Bryant sent a two-run shot out to right field for the final runs of the night for the Cubs. The home run marked the 22-year-old's first official blast since June 9 with Double-A Tennessee.

"It's a little overwhelming," Bryant admitted to the paper of his promotion, "but this is what baseball's about. It comes with the job. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm having the time of my life."

Lane (5-6) was charged with four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits while striking out five and walking two in six innings.

Yoanner Negrin allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four over 2 1/3 scoreless frames to earn his first save for Iowa.