Cubs' Ross on Villar's first-base dive: 'We prefer to run through the bag'

Run through first base on a ground ball.

That's Baseball 101 and is taught almost from the moment kids strap on the spikes.

But once in a while that advice falls on deaf ears and someone will dive, which is exactly what third baseman Jonathan Villar did in the seventh inning of the Cubs' 5-4 loss to Milwaukee Sunday at Wrigley Field.

With 2 outs and Nico Hoerner on third base representing the tying run, Villar hit a high chopper to shortstop Willy Adames. Villar lunged into first base, his hand hitting the dirt before making contact with the bag. In that split second the ball entered Rowdy Tellez's glove and Villar was out.

The Cubs challenged, but replay upheld the call.

Cubs manager David Ross, who knows there are studies that say diving slows a runner down, wasn't going to blame Villar for his decision.

"There's also your competitive nature of, 'I'm getting going and I smell a hit. It's a game-tying knock,' " Ross said. "You get that momentum going forward; sometimes your instincts just want you to jump out and reach for the base.

"He's giving it all his effort - I think that's No. 1 for me. But, yeah, we prefer to run through the bag."

Villar, who thought he was safe, did not regret the move.

"I think if you continue to run it's more (likely you're) out," he said. "In that situation, for me, I'm always sliding in the base. I think we've got more chance to make it safe."

Happ sits:

Ian Happ had "a little soreness" a day after being hit by a pitch in the kneecap and did not face the Brewers on Sunday. Manager David Ross said Happ was available, but also added it "just makes a lot of sense" to give the infielder some time off.

Happ went 5-for-7 in wins over Milwaukee on Thursday and Saturday.

"When he's locked in he's one of the better at-bats in the league," Ross said. "He'll walk. He's got power. He hits to all fields. He's a pretty spectacular player.

"He gets out of rhythm at times, as well all do. I think he's on a mission to be as consistent as possible this year and has (given us) really consistent at-bats in the middle of our lineup."

Rest day:

Manager David Ross sat catcher Willson Contreras against the Brewers and inserted Yan Gomes. The 34-year-old Gomes played in 40 games for the A's last season and is a career .247 hitter in 3,010 at-bats. He went 1-for-4, doubling in the second inning, and also hit a deep drive to right with one out in the ninth.

"Gets Willson two days (off)," said Ross, noting the Cubs don't play again until Tuesday at Pittsburgh. "I always hated starting the season as a bench player and sitting for a week or two. I think their performance will be a little bit better if you can get everybody in the mix as soon as possible."

Around the horn:

The Cubs' 9-0 win over Milwaukee on Saturday featured four pitchers who were drafted by the North Siders: Justin Steele (2014, fifth round), Keegan Thompson (2017, third round), Scott Efforss (2015, 15th round) and Ethan Roberts (2018, fourth round). It was just the third time since 2011 that the Cubs recorded a shutout using "homegrown" pitchers. ... Alec Mills (low back strain) threw a simulated game in Arizona on Sunday.