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Jeff Bianchi & Marco Estrada step up as Brewers defeat Cubs 5-3

Jeff Bianchi has two RBI filling in for Jean Segura, and Marco Estrada pitches 7 2/3 innings in the win.

Mike McGinnis

WP: Marco Estrada (2-1)
LP: Travis Wood (1-3)
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (11)

HR: Khris Davis (3), Luis Valbuena (1), Wellington Castillo (4)

MVP: Marco Estrada (+.191)
LVP: Ryan Braun (-.054)

Box Score

Win Expectancy Graph

Jeff Bianchi wasn't in the lineup at the start of the game.  He ended up having the biggest contribution on offense tonight.

In the top of the first inning, Jeff Bianchi came in to pinch hit for Jean Segura.  Word came out shortly after that he had walked into Ryan Braun's bat as Braun was stretching.  Bianchi made the most of his time in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two RBI in the game.  Khris Davis also chipped in with two hits, one of those a solo home run, and Mark Reynolds also had two hits in the game.  In total for the game, the Brewers had five runs and eight hits.

It backed another quality start for Marco Estrada, his fourth in five games.  He made his longest start of his career, pitching 7 2/3 innings and striking out nine batters with no walks.  He only allowed four hits in the game, but two of those were home runs that resulted in three runs allowed.

The bullpen finished off the game, with Will Smith pitching a perfect 1/3 inning and Francisco Rodriguez recording his eleventh save with a perfect inning.  His save set a record for saves in April (previously held by Francisco Cordero with 10 saves), and moving Rodriguez to 18th on the MLB list for career saves.

It wasn't all good news for the Brewers after the game.  Jean Segura ended up going to the hospital for stiches, but should be fine.  He didn't have a fracture or concussion from the hit.  Also, Ryan Braun came out of the game in the ninth inning with a reported intercostal strain.  Both are considered day-to-day for now.

The Brewers conclude their homestand tomorrow afternoon as they try to sweep the Cubs.  Jason Hammel will start for the Cubs, and Wily Peralta starts for the Brewers.  First pitch is at 1:10 pm.