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Tonight, I hope you had the chance to watch this one. The Brewers and Cubs went at it for the second game of three at Miller Park, and this game did not disappoint. Great pitching, clutch hitting, a Cubs’ bullpen meltdown, and a dramatic end were the hallmarks of this one. At the end of it, Milwaukee was victorious, 5-3.
Chicago struck first in the top of the third off Brewers’ starter, Chase Anderson. Anderson hit Wilson Contreras with a pitch to put the first runner on. After an eight pitch at-bat, Anthony Rizzo got one too many fastballs in a row; the last of which he delivered over the right field fence for his 21st home run of the year and a 2-0 Cubs lead. Other than the mistake to Rizzo, Anderson was once again, solid. He covered 5 innings giving up just the 2 runs and striking out 4.
Jon Lester was better than just solid. He painted the edges all night. Through 7 innings, the Brewers were stymied. Fortunately, Joe Madden removed Lester after 7 innings pitched.
Much has been made about how Cubs LHP Jose Quintana has dominated #Brewers (until this year) but Jon Lester has been even tougher on them. As we tweet, he has allowed four runs in last 31 innings against them (1.16 ERA). This year, no earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) July 28, 2019
In the eighth inning, Madden would wear a path to the pitchers mound as he changed pitchers three times in the inning. Generally when a manager makes that many pitching changes in an inning it is a good thing for the other team, and it was this time as well for Milwaukee. Steve Cishek was up first for Chicago.
Pinch hitter, Ben Gamel led off the inning, and he came through again, hitting a solo shot over “Toyota Territory.” On the very next pitch from Cishek, Lorenzo Cain crushed it just below the 400 foot sign for a double. Madden lifted Cishek for brand new Cub, Derek Holland. He faced Christian Yelich who he got to fly out to centerfield. Albert Almora caught the ball, but slipped allowing Cain to tag up to third.
Ben Gamel breaks through for the #BrewCrew! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/D8Zre5s4l5
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 28, 2019
That would end Holland’s night as he was lifted for Tyler Chatwood. Chatwood would eventually face Keston Hiura, and Hiura would come through. Hiura hit a line drive up the first base line for a RBI double, scoring Cain and tying the game.
Hey @Cubs, you probably haven't met the rookie yet. Just so you know, the man can hit. #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/650pV8551D
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 28, 2019
This ball game would go to extras. In the top of the tenth, the Cubs would take the lead. Albert Almora took Freddy Peralta deep for a solo shot, and the invaders from the south were on their feet in pandemonium optimistic about the outcome of this game.
To slam the door, Madden sent Craig Kimbrel to mound. Up first was Christian Yelich. On a 0-1 count, Yelich took a 96 mph fastball over the left field wall to tie the game.
CHRISTIAN YELICH TIES IT IN THE 10TH!!!#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/jcUC9493Rg
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) July 28, 2019
Tyler Saladino was up next as a pinch hitter. He induced a walk from the future Hall of Famer. That brought up Keston Hiura who had already delivered once in this game. Well he delivered again, and this delivery ended it.
The man can #WalkOff! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/4WkiNspUkL
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 28, 2019
The last game of this three game series occurs tomorrow afternoon as the Brewers look to sweep the Cubs right on down I-95. First pitch is 1:10 CT and can be heard on WTMJ and seen on Fox Sports Wisconsin. Zach Davies pitches for the Brewers, and Jose Quintana does the same for the Cubs.