Cubs outlast Brewers in 13 innings, 2-1
MILWAUKEE - Pitcher Travis Wood drove in the go-ahead run when he walked with the bases loaded in the 13th inning after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the 12th to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.
With the Cubs out of position players, manager Joe Maddon had Wood hit with two outs after the Brewers intentionally walked Miguel Montero to load the bases. Wood drew the walk when Carlos Torres (0-1) missed on a 3-1 cutter, forcing Ben Zobrist home with the go-ahead run.
Wood (2-0) allowed a leadoff double to Jonathan Villar in the bottom of the 13th, and the Brewers later put runners on the corners with one out.
The Cubs' last eligible player, left-hander Clayton Richard came on in relief to get the last out, retiring lefty-hitting Kirk Nieuwenhuis on a groundout for his first career save.
An inning earlier, Wood worked out of a bases-loaded, nobody out situation by drawing a short flyout and two popouts.
A career .181 hitter with nine homers, Wood pulled off just as impressive a feat after drawing the bases-loaded walk to drive in the go-ahead run in the 13th.
Offense was otherwise a trouble spot again for the Cubs, a night after getting no-hit for seven-plus innings by right-hander Chase Anderson. On Wednesday, Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson frustrated Chicago's formidable lineup, allowing five hits, walking four and striking out five in seven-plus shutout innings.
Playing in front of a bevy of Cubs fans who made the 90-minute drive north from Chicago, Maddon's team was finally able to scratch its way for runs against the Brewers bullpen.
The Cubs tied the game at 1 with one out in the ninth on Addison Russell's RBI grounder off closer Jeremy Jeffress, but otherwise left the tying or go-ahead run in scoring position from the eighth through 11th innings.
It took an experienced-hitting pitcher in Wood to take the lead for good in the 13th.
Milwaukee's only run scored on Alex Presley's fielder's choice in the fifth. Starter John Lackey was otherwise effective and gave up four hits over six innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: OF Matt Szczur (right hamstring), who was eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday, will go on a rehab assignment at Double-A Tennessee. "There's no specific timetable right now, just go play," manager Joe Maddon said.
Brewers: LF Ryan Braun was scratched because of back stiffness. Braun had back surgery in the offseason, and manager Craig Counsell has said the 32-year-old slugger might need periodic days off for rest. Counsell said that Braun's right wrist, which kept him out of a couple games over the weekend, was fine.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Jason Hammel (5-0) is 8-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 11 career starts against Milwaukee.
Brewers: Opponents are batting .206 against RHP Junior Guerra (2-0) in three starts since he was called up on May 3 from Triple-A Colorado Springs.