LVP: Prince Fielder (-.110)
Win Expectancy Graph
SBNation Coverage
Ryan Braun's huge two-run homer off Aaron Heilman in the bottom of the 8th turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Brewers. He loved it.
The Cubs built a 2-0 lead on the strength of a booming home run by Milton Bradley in the 5th and a leadoff triple by 30-year-old rookie Bobby Scales in the 6th; Scales scored on Alfonso Soriano's sac fly.
The Brewers had numerous scoring chances early on off Randy Wells, making his first career start, but he managed to hold them scoreless over his five innings. They finally managed to get on the board in the 6th, courtesy of J.J. Hardy's home run off Angel Guzman.
Dave Bush pitched well for the most part, throwing only 81 pitches in his seven innings. Bush had a nice curveball working early, but Bradley turned on one of Bush's specialties, the get-me-over fastball, and hit it about three miles. Trevor Hoffman came in to pitch the 9th and continued to impress, expertly painting the black like the crafty veteran he is and generally making the Cubs look foolish.
Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was seriously injured in the 3rd inning. He dove for Braun's hot shot down the line and apparently dislocated his shoulder, though his landing did not look particularly violent. Ramirez was obviously in great pain and seems likely due for a DL stint, which would be a huge blow to the Cubs.