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Brewers 6, Cubs 5: Davis's blast saves Brewers

Gallardo leaves early with an injury, but Davis comes up big of the bench to help Brewers come from behind to win the first game of the doubleheader.

Brian Kersey

Win: Rob Wooten (1-0)
Loss: James Russell (1-3)
Save:Jim Henderson (13)

HR: Jean Segura (12), Yuniesky Betancourt (12), Khris Davis (2)

MVP: Khris Davis (.295)
LVP: John Axford (-.554)

Fangraphs Win Expectancy Graph
Boxscore

With a doubleheader in Chicago today, the Brewers really needed a strong outing from Yovani Gallardo in the first game. Unfortunately, Gallardo left with an injury after 4.2 innings and made the rest of the day a bit more difficult for the Brewers. Faced with adversity, though, the Brewers stepped up and pulled out a 6-5 victory this afternoon.

Neither team was able to muster much offensively in the first three innings, but the Brewers were able to score first in the top of the fourth inning on a solo home run from Jean Segura. The home run was Segura's first of the month of July and his first home run since June 25th against the Cubs.

Yuniesky Betancourt started the top of the fifth inning with a home run to left field to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. Betancourt had a great day at the plate going 3 for 4 with two singles along with his solo home run.

Yovani Gallardo looked to be on his way to a quality start until some struggles in the fifth inning. Gallardo managed to load the bases with two outs in the inning. With Darwin Barney at the plate, Gallardo was able to get the count to 1-2 before being forced to leave the game with a tight left hamstring. It appeared as though the tightness in his plant leg occurred as he released the pitch. Gallardo limped off and around mound immediately after releasing the pitch.

John Axford came into the game for Gallardo and immediately gave up a two-run single to Barney. The damage was not done though, as the Cubs were able to add three more singles and three more runs to take a 5-2 lead at the end of the fifth.

After Betancourt continued his hot day at the plate with a single following a Jeff Bianchi walk, the Cubs removed Carlos Villaneuva and brought in James Russell in the seventh inning.

Russell's day did not go well as he gave an opposite field home run to Khris Davis on the very first pitch he threw to tie the game 5-5. With one swing of the bat, Davis changed the entire complexion of the game. Davis's power is very real and it will be interesting to see what he can do with more playing time.

The Brewers were not done in the seventh inning though. Aoki singled to right field and then stole both second and third to put himself in scoring position for Jean Segura. On a 1-2 pitch, Segura almost went down to his knees and smashed a ball into the left field corner for a double that scored Aoki and gave the Brewers a 6-5 lead.

After taking the lead, the Brewers turned to Brandon Kintzler, Michael Gonzalez, and Jim Henderson and each pitcher delivered a scoreless inning to seal the victory for the Brewers. Henderson collected his 13th save of the season while Rob Wooten earned his first career victory.

The Brewers will be back in action tonight against the Cubs in the second game of their doubleheader. Tyler Thornburg will be on the mound for the Brewers against Jake Arrieta for the Cubs. Arrieta, acquired from the Orioles in the Scott Feldman trade, will be making his Cubs' debut this evening. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.