Brewers spoil perfection, take finale from Cubs
CHICAGO -- Starters Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies were both at their best, allowing a combined six hits, but it was the Brewers who capitalized on their chance, winning, 4-1, at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. Chicago is now three games behind the Pirates for the National League's first Wild Card spot following Pittsburgh's victory over Colorado on Wednesday.
In his fourth start of the season, Davies threw six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and a walk -- his third quality start. The Cubs did not score until the seventh inning, on Jorge Soler's home run. The win snapped the Brewers' nine-game losing streak to the Cubs.
"It was a great performance, and I think a real confidence builder for him," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Davies. "That's a huge confidence for him that he knows he has weapons to get Major League hitters out and go through good lineups. He went through that lineup pretty stress-free today."
Video: MIL@CHC: Davies fans four over six scoreless innings
Hendricks carried a perfect game through 4 2/3 innings before back-to-back singles from Milwaukee broke the scoreless tie. The right-hander was charged with two runs in the seventh inning after allowing a double and single to begin the frame. He allowed four hits and struck out eight over six-plus innings.
• Hendricks pitches like the Hendricks of old
"He's a young Major League pitcher, he's going to keep getting better," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "He had it all going on. He pitched really well, we just didn't score any runs."
Video: MIL@CHC: Hendricks fans eight over six-plus innings
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Fast work: The Brewers didn't record a hit until the fifth inning but quickly turned their first one into a run. Jean Segura singled with two out, stole second and scored on a single to left field by Luis Sardinas. Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber picked up the ball as Segura was touching third base, but the speedster took a chance and slid in just under the tag at home for the first run of the game.
"That's a baserunning run; Seggie being aggressive and doing what he does well on the bases," Counsell said. "That's all on Jean. That's one of the things he brings to the table. He got us a run with his legs."
Soler power: In his first full season, Soler joined the list of Cubs with double-digit home runs this season. The rookie's blast to left field in the seventh inning was his 10th of the season, making him the ninth batter to reach the mark. Cubs rookies now have 66 home runs this season.
Power stroke: Adam Lind has been perhaps the Brewers' most consistent offensive performer this season, and he came through again by starting the two-run seventh with a double to deep left field off the ivy. Khris Davis followed with a single to give Milwaukee a two-run lead, knocking Hendricks out of the game. The final run of the inning scored on a sacrifice fly by Martin Maldonado off reliever Justin Grimm, who had walked the bases loaded.
Video: MIL@CHC: Davis brings home Lind with a single
He also plays catcher: Schwarber entered the Majors as a catcher before transitioning to the outfield, and playing in left field on Wednesday, he took away what would have been an extra-base hit in the seventh inning with a catch right at the left-field wall. The Brewers did score on a sacrifice fly, but Schwarber kept the game within reach.
Video: MIL@CHC: Schwarber travels 85 feet to track ball down
"[It was a] great catch," Maddon said. "He took a great angle on it. He's done a nice job in left field. The throw to the plate was nice, too, [although] the runner beat it, but he's done a nice job."
QUOTABLE
"They've picked me up so many times this year when I've pitched so bad, they've put up, like, six, seven runs for me. So I will never criticize anything like that. It happens." -- Hendricks, on the Cubs' offense struggling to provide support
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
With two outs in the second inning, Maddon challenged first-base umpire Dana DeMuth's call that Javier Baez had not beaten the throw to the base. But the call was overturned after a review showed that Baez hit the bag before the throw from Segura reached.
Video: MIL@CHC: Cubs challenge out call at first base in 2nd
Maddon challenged a similar call in the ninth inning, this time after Kris Bryant was ruled out at first base on a ground ball hit to third baseman Sardinas. This time, though, DeMuth's call was confirmed.
Video: MIL@CHC: Cubs challenge out call at first in 9th
WHAT'S NEXT
Brewers: Taylor Jungmann takes the mound in the opener of a four-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Thursday night. Jungmann will be looking to become the 12th rookie in franchise history to win 10 games. Michael Wacha starts for the Cardinals. First pitch is at 7:15 CT.
Cubs: Following a day off on Thursday, the Cubs play their final series of the season against the Pirates when the teams open a three-game slate at Wrigley Field. Jon Lester takes the mound for Chicago, which trails Pittsburgh for the National League's first Wild Card spot. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT.
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