:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50447649/591882242.0.jpg)
WP: Jake Arrieta (15-5)
LP: Zack Davies (9-6)
SV: Aroldis Chapman (27)
The Cubs completed the sweep of the Brewers today, and though the scores would indicate otherwise, it wasn’t a close finale or a close series at all.
For the third time in four games, the Cubs were on the board in the first inning. A groundout by Ben Zobrist and an RBI single from Addison Russell gave them an early 2-0 lead. That lead continued to grow in the third inning, as a two-run home run from Kris Bryant and an RBI double from Wilson Contreras increased the lead to 5-0.
The Brewers closed in on the Cubs in the fourth thanks to a home run from Kirk Nieuwenhuis. However, the Cubs extended that lead back out with back-to-back RBI doubles from Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. That ended the game for Zach Davies, who allowed seven runs on ten hits in just four innings.
The Brewers did get closer again in the sixth inning. Hernan Perez hit a solo home run to close the gap to 7-4, and Jonathan Villar walked with the bases loaded to close it in to 7-5. The Brewers had a chance to take the lead here, but Scooter Gennett grounded out to end the inning.
Kris Bryant extended the lead a little further again in the sixth with a solo home run to make it 8-5. The Brewers took that run back again with a Ramon Flores groundout in the eighth, and the Cubs responded one more time with an RBI single to push the lead to 9-6. That’s where it ended.
The Brewers did manage to get to Jake Arrieta in the game. They scored five runs off of him in 5.2 innings, though did it with only three hits. Arrieta had an uncharacteristic seven walks compared to just three strikeouts. However, with the struggles from Zach Davies, Arrieta could have an off-day.
On offense, the Brewers managed just six hits and walked ten times. Hernan Perez and Kirk Nieuwenhuis had two hits a piece, and Chris Carter and Ramon Flores had two walks a piece.
Meanwhile, in the bullpen, Blaine Boyer and Corey Knebel each allowed a run in an inning. Rob Scahill and Carlos Torres also pitched an inning each, both scoreless.
The Brewers head to Seattle now for a three-game interleague series against the Mariners. Brent Suter opens the series with his MLB debut against Wade LeBlanc. First pitch is at 9:10 pm.