Game One Hundred Forty-Three – Cubs 0 Brewers 2
WP – Yovani Gallardo (12-7) LP – Casey Coleman (1-2) Save – John Axford (21)
Q’s pitching staff held the Brewers’ offense to only two runs in three games, unfortunately both came on Sunday … while the Cubs offense could not hit with runners in scoring position with two outs.
The Cubs had plenty of chances again but finished the game 0-for-6 with RISP and left nine on base … 0-for-5 with two outs. The Cubs continue to struggle with runners on base, one of the many improvements that must be made next season. Sunday marked the 11th time the Cubs have been shut out this season … the second in four games.
Casey Coleman put together a solid start and made only one mistake. Yovani Gallardo doubled to start the fifth and scored on a two-out bloop double to right by Ryan Braun. Coleman allowed one run on five hits in six innings with three strikeouts and three walks … two of the three free passes were intentional walks to Prince Fielder.
Casey McGehee gave the Brewers a little cushion in the eighth with his 21st homer of the season. A solo shot with two outs off Thomas Diamond.
Yovani Gallardo pitched seven innings of scoreless ball. Gallardo allowed only four hits, and struck out six with three walks.
The Cubs pitching staff did a good job against the Brewers all weekend. The Brewers managed only three extra base hits in the entire series and scored only two runs. All three, however, came on Sunday and cost the Cubs a chance at a sweep.
The Cubs and Brewers scored a combined seven runs in 27 innings.
The Cubs finished the season series against the Brewers with a 9-6 record … 3-3 at Wrigley and 6-3 at Miller Park.
With the loss, the Cubs slipped to 11-7 under Mike Quade and to 62-81 on the year, 19 below .500 and just a single loss away from another losing season. Casey Coleman put together a very good start Sunday … too bad the offense could not support him. After a rough beginning, Coleman settled down and allowed just the single run after a mistake to Gallardo to start the fifth.
Yovani Gallardo doubled to center on a 3-2 pitch. Coleman retired Rickie Weeks on a ground out to third then struck out Corey Hart. Ryan Braun blooped a double down the right field line on a 0-1 pitch … Gallardo scored, 1-0 Brewers. Milwaukee’s first run of the series.
Coleman intentionally walked Prince Fielder then retired Casey McGehee on a fly out to center to end the inning.
Mike Quade did his Tony LaRussa impersonation in the bottom of the eighth. Quade used Marcos Mateo and James Russell to get the first two outs, then went back to his pen for Thomas Diamond. McGehee ripped Diamond’s first pitch over the wall in left center … 2-0 Brewers.
It’s a Way of Life … in Year 1 for the Cubs
Carlos Silva was supposed to take the hill Monday night in St. Louis, but he has been scratched with a strained right elbow. Jeff Samardzija will face Jamie Garcia in the first of three against the Redbirds.