CHICAGO-- The Cubs have had major problems with the Brewers pitching staff over the last couple of years and it was no different this afternoon as Milwaukee came in on business and demonstrated by shutting out the Cubs 7-0.
Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal & first baseman Jesus Aguilar led the Crew with 2 RBI's a piece. Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez got his 1st win of the year with the Brewers going 5.2 innings and only giving up 2 hits while striking out 3. The teams are now tied atop the NL Central as far as winning percentage goes. The Cubs have 2 less wins than Milwaukee while the Brewers have 2 more losses.
Final Score - Brewers 7 Cubs 0
Matchup - The Cubs are coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Marlins and had won 8 of their last 9 games.
Summary- The Brew got on the board first in the top of the 4th inning as Cub-killer Ryan Braun hit a solo HR into the left-center bleachers to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs threatened in the bottom of the 6th with a leadoff double by Albert Almora Jr. Kris Bryant lined out to 3rd, Anthony Rizzo grounded out to 2nd & Javy Baez struck out on a ball in the dirt to end the inning. Milwaukee added 2 in the top of 7 as Yasmani Grandal scored on Mike Moustakas fielders choice & Moustakas scored on a Ben Gamel sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. The Cubs had another shot in the bottom of 7 with back to back 0 out singles by Willson Contreras & David Bote but a heads up double play by SS Orlando Arcia and a Daniel Descalso pinch hit pop out to Grandal quickly ended that notion. Milwaukee tacked on 2 more in the top of 8. After a throwing error on Contreras, a Grandal sac fly scored reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich & a Jesus Aguilar single scored Ryan Braun to give the Brew a 5-0 cushion. They capped it off in the top of 9 with 2 more as Arcia scored on a Grandal single off the glove of pitcher Allen Webster. Eric Thames scored on a bases loaded walk to make it 7-0.
Jose Quintana fell to 4-2 on the season as he went 6.2 innings giving up 4 hits & 3 runs while walking 3 & striking out 6.
Player of the game- Brewers catcher Yasmani Grandal was 2-4 with 2 RBI & threw Javier Baez out trying to steal 3rd in the bottom of 2 stopping the Cubs chances of getting on the board first.
Play of the game- Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia with a heads up double play in the bottom of the 7th with runners in scoring position to end another chance at a comeback
Quote of the game- "It's one loss...it's a best of 3 series. Let's go home &get some sleep & get back at it tomorrow." - Cubs manager Joe Maddon
Next game- 5/11 v MIL fiest pitch 1:20. Cole Hamels(3-0) will be on the bump vs Milwaukee's Zach Davies(4-0).