Brewers drop game two to Cubs, lose 6-3 in extras

Box Score

It was another pitchers’ duel in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, marking the second consecutive duel between the Brewers and Cubs to open up the four-game series. It also marked the second consecutive pitchers’ duel with Freddy Peralta on the hill for the Brewers, as he was on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss last week against the Marlins.

Both Peralta and Cubs starter Ben Brown cruised from the jump, as Peralta struck out the side to open up the game before Brown struck out two of three in the bottom of the frame.

That was a sign of things to come, as both pitchers dominated opposing hitters throughout the night.

After Busch got the Cubs on the board in the third, neither team could get a runner past second base until the sixth, when Peralta gave up a pair of singles and walked Christopher Morel to load the bases. That was the end of the night for Peralta, as Jared Koenig came in to face Ian Happ with two outs and got him to strike out swinging to escape the jam.

Willy Adames was robbed of a game-tying homer by Cody Bellinger with one out in the seventh, keeping the score at 1-0 and the no-hitter intact.

Brown, who has fluctuated between starting and coming on in relief this season, was pulled after seven innings and a career-high 93 pitches. Peralta also set a career-high with 111 pitches on the night. Peralta, who ultimately worked 5 ²⁄₃ innings, allowed three hits, two walks, and struck out 11. Still, he was outpitched by Brown, who spanned seven no-hit innings, allowing just two walks while striking out 10.

Brown’s seven scoreless innings also extended the Cubs’ streak of scoreless innings by their starters against the Brewers this season, as they have yet to allow a run in five games against the Brewers. In those five games, Cubs starters have spanned 32 ¹⁄₃ innings and struck out 37 batters.

Hayden Wesneski was put in to replace Brown and allowed the first hit of the night for Milwaukee on a single up the middle by Sal Frelick. Frelick then stole second base but he couldn’t move from there, as pinch hitters Oliver Dunn and Gary Sanchez both struck out to end the inning.

Elvis Peguero took the ninth and struggled, walking two unintentionally around an intentional walk to Busch, loading the bases. Luckily, Peguero was able to strikeout a pair to escape the jam and keep the score at 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Things looked grim against Hector Neris, who came on to close out the game. He induced a pair of groundouts from Brice Turang and William Contreras to put the Cubs just one out away from securing the victory.

Christian Yelich managed to induce a two-out walk and moved over on a balk by Neris, who was watching Yelich closely as he was ready to steal second. In a 1-2 hole, Adames lined a single to the left to score Yelich and tie the game. Unfortunately, Adames was thrown out sliding into second, and the play stood upon a challenge by the Brewers.

In the extra frame, the Cubs scored their second run immediately. Trevor Megill was hit on a comebacker in his throwing arm, allowing Mike Tauchman to reach, and Luis Vasquez came around to score from second. Megill was removed from the game and replaced by Hoby Milner, who looked to keep the deficit at just one.

Milner allowed a flare single by Seiya Suzuki, allowing Tauchman to move to third for runners at the corners with no outs. Cody Bellinger lined another single up the middle to score Tauchman, giving the Cubs a 3-1 lead before an out was recorded.

Nick Madrigal then bunted to move the runners over, putting runners at second and third with one out. Ian Happ then broke things open with a two-run double, making it 5-1 Chicago. He would come around to score two batters later as Busch singled up the middle to put the Cubs up 6-1.

That marked the end of the night for Milner, who went just ²⁄₃ of an inning, allowing three earned runs on four hits.

Mitch White came on to relieve Milner and finally put an end to the inning as he struck out Dansby Swanson on three pitches.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Brewers went down with a bit of a fight, getting two runs across on a walk, a pair of groundouts, and a two-out infield single by Owen Miller.

Milwaukee’s offense struggled in the loss, as the team went just 3-for-32 with four walks, including 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Adames, Miller, and Frelick recorded the three hits, while Jake Bauers and Frelick each stole a base.

Eight pitchers made appearances for the Brewers, as Bryan Hudson was the only non-starter left in the bullpen. After Peralta’s strong start, the seven relievers combined to allow five runs (four earned) across the final 4 ¹⁄₃ innings, with five strikeouts, three walks, and six hits allowed.

The Brewers return to action Wednesday night against the Cubs, with Bryse Wilson slated to start against rookie phenom Shota Imanaga for Chicago. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.