CHICAGO -AP- Jake Arrieta threw a three-hitter to become the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach 20 wins, Kris Bryant set the Cubs rookie record for home runs and Chicago inched closer to a playoff berth with a 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Looking loose after manager Joe Maddon entertained the team with a petting zoo in the outfield at Wrigley Field before the game, Arrieta (20-6) struck out 11 for Chicago, whose magic number for making its first postseason in seven years dropped to three.
 
Arrieta's 3-hitter, Kris Bryant's record-setting 26th HR power Cubs
 
The right-hander retired 14 in a row at one point in becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win 20 games since Jon Lieber in 2001.
Bryant, whose April 17 debut was one of the most anticipated in years, hit a two-run homer in the third off Tyler Cravy (0-8) to give Chicago a 2-0 lead. It was Bryant's 26th longball, besting Billy Williams' mark in 1961. Bryant added a run-scoring double in the eighth.
Kyle Schwarber was credited with an RBI double in the fifth when shortstop Jean Segura couldn't catch his high popup to short right field, allowing Dexter Fowler to score.
But Tuesday belonged to Arrieta, who added another accomplishment to a fine season that included a no-hitter Aug. 30 at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
By beating Milwaukee, he became the first Chicago pitcher since Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins in 1971 to win at least 20 games and strike out at least 200 in a season. He also lowered his ERA to 1.88, giving him a chance to become the Cubs' first qualifying starter with a sub-2.00 ERA since Grover Cleveland Alexander had a 1.91 mark in 1920.
Cravy went four innings and allowed two runs and three hits for the Brewers, who lost their 10th in 11.
 

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