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Brewers Starting Pitcher: Wily Peralta - 6 IP 8 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 6 K (118 pitches)
Opponent Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester - 7 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K (90 pitches)
Winning Pitcher: Jon Lester
Losing Pitcher: Wily Peralta
SV: Hector Rondon
HR: Addison Russell (1)
Coming into this game the question on everyone's mind was when would Kris Bryant hit his first major league home run. While everyone was waiting for that to happen Addison Russell went ahead and beat him to the punch. His first major league home run was of the lead off variety in the third inning.
The Cubs would take their 1-0 lead all the way to the finish line. Peralta put together a solid outing, all things considered. Jeremy Jeffress and Jonathan Broxton (again with velo range 94-96) combined for two scoreless innings. The Brewers offense just continued to wilt. They were only able to muster 3 hits against Jon Lester and just one against the Cubs bullpen.
Milwaukee falls to 5-18 on the season.
Outstanding Offensive Play
Well there wasn't much offense in the this one. The Brewers logged 4 hits but 2 of them came off the bat of Jason Rogers. He got a single off Jon Lester and a double off Carlos Rondon. In 28 PA at AAA he slashed 360/429/640. So far in just 17 PA mostly as a pinch hitter he's slashing 412/412/529. It's probably going to be him or Logan Schafer optioned to AAA when Carlos Gomez gets reactivated tomorrow. I think Rogers has made it very hard for Ron Roenicke to send down the infielder.
Welcome to the Gun Show
Cubs came out hitting. Three consecutive hits to lead off the game, but they'd only have runners at the corner with one out instead of two on with a run on the board due to Gerrardo Parra's arm. Dexter Fowler tried to go to third from first on a grounder up the middle but Parra barehanded the ball and cut Fowler down by a few feet at third.
Martin Maldonado's arm would be showcased in the same inning. With those runners at the corners Kris Bryant struck out. The hit and run must have been on because Anthony Rizzo was off running but he was no match for the Brewers catcher who was able to complete the "strike 'em out throw 'em out" double play.
With a pitch count over 100 in the sixth Wily Peralta looked like he might be done. Then with a runner at first and only one out it looked like things might snowball as the next batter lined a single to right. Castro made the turn around second to go third but a strong throw from Ryan Braun in middle right field beat him there.
Outstanding Pitching Performance
Outstanding might be a bit too much but it was a solid start from Wily Peralta who showed a lot of heart. He went six innings allowing just the one run but he was far from perfect and really didn't have his best stuff. He entered the sixth inning with 99 pitches and after getting the first batter out allowed two singles. Braun got the second out at third base and Peralta ended the inning with a strike out and an exuberant fist pump. He earned it.
Next Game:
Saturday April 2, 1:20 pm CST: Mike Fiers vs Jake Arrieta