Brewers rally for 10th straight win over Cubs
MILWAUKEE - Kolten Wong hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the eighth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers moved closer to a playoff berth by defeating the Cubs 8-5 on Friday night.
The Brewers' magic number for wrapping up the NL Central title fell to 4. Their magic number for clinching a fourth consecutive postseason appearance is at 2.
Milwaukee scored 4 runs off reliever Rowan Wick (0-1) in the eighth to come from behind and defeat the Cubs for the 10th straight time. The Brewers' only longer winning streak over a single opponent in franchise history came in 2008, when they won 12 in a row against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
One night after blowing a 7-0 lead in a 17-8 loss to Philadelphia, the Cubs squandered an early 4-0 advantage.
The Brewers trailed 5-4 in the eighth until Lorenzo Cain tied the game with a two-out single that brought home Luis Urías, who had reached on a one-out single and advanced to second on Daniel Vogelbach's two-out walk.
Pablo Reyes, who ran for Vogelbach, headed to third on Cain's single and barely made it ahead of right fielder Trayce Thompson's throw. After Luke Maile walked to load the bases, Wong hit a 3-2 pitch into center to bring home Reyes and Cain. Dillon Maples replaced Wick and threw a wild pitch that allowed Maile to score from third.
Wong went 3-for-5 and Urías drove in 3 runs. Frank Schwindel hit a solo shot for the Cubs, the first homer Brewers starter Adrian Houser had allowed since June 26.
Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby (3-0) struck out five and allowed 3 hits in 3 innings of shutout relief. Josh Hader worked the ninth for his 32nd save in 33 opportunities.
Alfonso Rivas and Sergio Alcantara hit RBI singles during a 4-run outburst in the fourth inning that enabled the Cubs to break a scoreless tie.
The Brewers scored 3 in the bottom half as Christian Yelich singled home Wong, and Urías hit a 2-run single. The Brewers threatened to do even more damage as they loaded the bases with one out, but Cain lined into an inning-ending double play.
The Cubs extended the lead to 5-3 in the fifth on Schwindel's homer. The Brewers answered in the bottom half as Urías drew a bases-loaded walk from Codi Heuer, who ended the inning by striking out Jace Peterson.
Trainer's room:
Cubs: RHP Manuel Rodriguez went on the 10-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation, likely ending his season. Rodriguez is 3-3 with a 6.11 ERA in 20 relief appearances.
Brewers: Manager Craig Counsell said the Brewers are hoping OF Avisaíl García can return to action today and that SS Willy Adames can be activated Monday. García hasn't played since Tuesday due to back trouble. Adames went on the injured list Sept. 5 with a left quadriceps strain.
Up next:
All-star RHP Corbin Burnes (10-4, 2.25 ERA) makes his first start since teaming with Hader on a no-hitter last weekend as this three-game series continues today. LHP Justin Steele (3-3, 4.17) pitches for the Cubs.
Burnes pitched the first 8 innings and Hader worked the ninth in a 3-0 victory Saturday at Cleveland that marked the second no-hitter in Brewers history. Juan Nieves threw one against Baltimore on April 15, 1987.