Game One Hundred Twelve – Cubs 3, Brewers 2 – 10 innings
WP – Tommy Hunter (3-2) LP – Michael Blazek (5-3) Save – None
Miguel Montero led off the 10th inning with the game tied at two. Montero lined a 0-1 pitch from Michael Blazek into the bleachers in left field and the Cubs beat the Brewers in walk-off fashion on Wednesday night at the old ballyard.
Joe Maddon’s team won for the sixth time in six games and the Cubs are 12-1 in their last 13 games.
The Cubs found a way to win a game Wednesday that they almost let slip away. Hector Rondon allowed the Brewers to tie the game in the ninth inning. Rondon gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Braun. An error by Addison Russell put two on with no outs. Rondon uncorked a wild pitch that put runners on second and third before striking out Khris Davis and Scooter Gennett. Rondon was a strike away from wiggling out of the second and third, no out jam but his second wild pitch of the inning allowed Braun to score from third and tie the game.
Miguel Montero (1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two runs scored) scored two of the three runs Wednesday and made up for the two wild pitches in the ninth inning. Montero took responsibility after the game for the Brewers tying it in the ninth.
Kris Bryant (1-for-4 with a home run) tied the game in the second inning with a solo homer to right. And Addison Russell (1-for-3 with a RBI) drove in Montero with the go ahead run on a two-out single in the fifth.
The Cubs managed only four hits and two walks on the night … three of the hits scored runs.
Jason Hammel had a good outing in large part due to the plays made behind him. Hammel gave up a lot of solid contact but allowed only one run. Hammel was pulled early again and was obviously not happy with Joe Maddon when left the game with two outs in the sixth inning.
Jason Hammel was in line for the win after allowing one run on four hits and a walk. Hammel struck out five and made 65 pitches, 47 for strikes, in 5 2/3 innings.
Clayton Richard showed an extra gear in relief of Hammel and retired the four batters he faced in 1 1/3 innings. Pedro Strop pitched a scoreless eighth with a pair of strikeouts.
The Cubs had a really good night in the field until the ninth inning. Kris Bryant, Chris Coghlan and Dexter Fowler made excellent plays behind Jason Hammel.
Anthony Rizzo turned in two defensive gems and one that will be seen in highlight reels for years to come. Rizzo changed the game in the second inning. With the Brewers leading 1-0, Scooter Gennett led off the second with a double to left. The ball hit just below the basket and came within a foot of being a home run. Jean Segura bunted back to Hammel and Gennett advanced to third as Rizzo caught the ball for the out. Rizzo saw Gennett round third too far, threw a strike to Kris Bryant and completed a 1-3-5 double play.
Anthony Rizzo turned in the Cubs’ defensive play of the year in the sixth. With the Cubs leading 2-1 and Jonathan Lucroy on second base, Ryan Braun popped a 1-2 pitch into foul territory. Rizzo followed the ball and stepped on top of the tarp, reached into the crowd and caught the ball before landing in the seats.
The umpires initially ruled that Rizzo caught the ball out of bounds. Joe Maddon asked the umpires to discuss the play and the call was changed. Braun was the second out of the inning. Lucroy was awarded second because Rizzo threw the ball into play from the stands.
With Wednesday’s win, the Cubs improved to a season-high 16 games over .500 with a 64-48 record.
Ryan Braun homered in the first and Kris Bryant tied the game in the second with a solo homer into the basket in right field.
With the game still tied at one after four innings, Jason Hammel pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning. Hammel made 54 pitches, 40 for strikes, in five innings.
Jorge Soler was robbed of a hit by a diving Hernan Perez toward the hole at short to start the fifth inning. Miguel Montero walked on four pitches. Jason Hammel bunted a 1-2 pitch back to Garza. Montero advanced to second as Garza ran halfway to first base before flipping to Scooter Gennett for the out.
Addison Russell stepped in with the go ahead run at second base. Russell popped up a 0-1 pitch up, to the first base side in foul territory. Adam Lind and Scooter Gennett chased and were in position to make the catch. The ball hit off Gennett’s glove and Russell was given an extra chance.
Addison Russell singled to center on Garza’s next pitch, Montero scored and the Cubs took a 2-1 lead. Dexter Fowler singled to right on a 2-1 pitch. Russell went to third with two outs. Kyle Schwarber grounded out to second base to end the inning.
The Cubs had a 2-1 lead after five innings.
The Cubs did not record another hit after fifth inning but the bullpen did their job. Clayton Richard and Pedro Strop kept the Brewers off the board in the seventh and eighth innings. And the game went to the ninth with the Cubs clinging to a 2-1 lead.
Hector Rondon was called on to close it out Wednesday.
Ryan Braun led off the ninth with a bloop single to right center. Adam Lind grounded a 0-1 pitch back up the middle that Russell fielded just on the first base side of the second base bag. Russell flipped to Starlin Castro, but the toss was off the mark. Castro tried but had no chance as Braun slid into second base.
The first pitch to Khris Davis got past Montero and both runners moved up 90 feet. With the tying and go ahead runs in scoring position, Rondon struck out Davis swinging on a 1-2 pitch. Rondon also struck out Gennett swinging on a 1-2 pitch and it was up to Jean Segura with the tying run on third.
A wild pitch on a 2-2 offering to Segura got away from Montero. Braun scampered in and tied the game at two. Rondon struck out Segura swinging (3-2 pitch) to end the inning.
Anthony Rizzo walked to start the bottom of the ninth. Lefty Will Smith caught Bryant looking at a 1-2 pitch. Rizzo took off for second on a 0-2 offering to Jorge Soler. Jean Segura raced into shallow left, caught the blooper off the bat of Soler and doubled off Rizzo at first to end the inning.
The game went to the 10th tied at two.
Tommy Hunter set the Brewers down in order in the 10th with help from Chris Denorfia. Shane Peterson went opposite field on Hunter’s first pitch and Denorfia made a leaping catch and held on as he hit the brick wall to end the inning.
Miguel Montero led off the 10th and lined a 0-1 pitch from Michael Blazek into the bleachers in left … game over, Cubs win!
The Cubs wrap up the homestand with the series finale against the Brewers on Thursday afternoon (1:20pm CDT). Jon Lester is scheduled to face rookie right-hander Tyler Cravy.