Game One Hundred Eleven – Cubs 6, Brewers 3
WP – Dan Haren (8-7) LP – Taylor Jungmann (6-4) Save – James Russell (1)
Anthony Rizzo and Jorge Soler drove in four of the six runs. Dan Haren picked up his first win, No. 150 of his career, and the bullpen pitched 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball as the Cubs took game one from the Brewers on Tuesday night at Wrigley.
The Cubs won for the fifth time in five games Tuesday and improved to 11-1 in their last 12 games. The Cubs offense put together quality at bat after quality at bat over the first four innings and built a five-run lead. The Cubs forced Taylor Jungmann to throw 81 pitches in 2 2/3 innings and knocked him out of the game in the third inning. Tyler Thornburg did not fare any better in relief of Jungmann. It took Thornburg 43 pitches to complete 1 1/3 innings. On the night, the Cubs forced five Brewers’ hurlers to throw 186 pitches. For comparison, Dan Haren and company made 132 pitches in nine innings.
Tuesday was the eighth straight game the Cubs knocked the opposing starter out before the sixth inning.
The Cubs scored runs Tuesday on a bases loaded walk, a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, a sac fly and an error on a safety squeeze.
Jorge Soler (1-for-3 with a HBP, two RBI and a run scored) drove in Kris Bryant (1-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored) with the first run in the second inning on a rocket line drive to center field. Soler scored the second run on a safety squeeze bunt by Dan Haren (0-for-2 with a walk) when Jonathan Lucroy dropped the ball. Dexter Fowler (0-for-2 with two walks, a sac fly RBI and a run scored) gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead with a sac fly in the second inning that plated Miguel Montero (1-for-4 with a run scored).
Anthony Rizzo (2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a HBP and two RBI) doubled in Chris Coghlan (1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base) in the third. And Rizzo worked a bases loaded walk in the fourth that forced in Fowler. Jorge Soler was hit by a pitch and forced in Kyle Schwarber (0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored) with the Cubs’ sixth and final run in the fourth inning.
The Cubs scored six runs on seven hits, seven walks and three hit by pitches.
Dan Haren had a good outing in his Cubs debut at Wrigley Field. Haren pitched into the sixth inning after limiting the Brewers to one run over the first five innings. Haren struck out the side in the fifth but he walked Khris Davis to start the sixth. Adam Lind followed with a two-run home run and Joe Maddon left him in for one more batter. Haren ended his night by striking out Jonathan Lucroy swinging.
Dan Haren allowed three runs on five hits and a walk. Haren struck out six in 5 1/3 innings on 79 pitches, 54 for strikes … and Haren picked up career victory No. 150 on Tuesday night.
Travis Wood recorded two quick outs in relief of Haren to close out the sixth. Justin Grimm replaced Wood in the seventh and retired pinch-hitter Ryan Braun and Shane Peterson with a runner in scoring position to end the seventh.
Pedro Strop completed a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
James Russell picked up his first save of the season after allowing a two-out single to Jean Segura in the ninth.
Starlin Castro made his first appearance in the big leagues at second base. Castro replaced Chris Coghlan for in the sixth inning. Castro had three balls hit his way. Castro made a diving stop on a ball hit in the hole but could not get Logan Schafer at first in the seventh inning. Castro fielded a grounder off the bat of Adam Lind in the eighth inning. Castro made a tremendous catch with his back to the infield near the Brewers’ bullpen for the second out in the ninth inning. Castro was 0-for-1 in his first plate appearance since last Thursday.
With Tuesday’s win, the Cubs improved to a season-high 15 games over .500 with a 63-48 record.
After Dan Haren pitched a 1-2-3 second inning and retiring the first six batters he faced on 22 pitches, 15 for strikes, the Cubs went to work against Tyler Jungmann in the second inning.
Anthony Rizzo was caught looking at a 3-2 pitch to start the second. Kris Bryant lined a 1-0 pitch into left center. Khris Davis tried to make a diving catch, trapped the ball and Bryant hustled into second with a double.
Jorge Soler hit a rocket back up the middle. Jungmann had to duck to get out of the way of the screaming line drive. Bryant scored, 1-0 Cubs. Miguel Montero singled to left center. Soler moved to third when Logan Schafer bobbled the ball. With runners on first and third and one out, Dan Haren bunted a 2-0 pitch back to the mound. Jungmann flipped to Lucroy but he dropped the ball as Soler slid in … 2-0 Cubs. Addison Russell singled to left and loaded the bases with one out.
Dexter Fowler lifted a 2-0 pitch to left. Davis caught the ball, Montero tagged and scored … 3-0 Cubs. Kyle Schwarber flied out to right to end the inning. Jungmann needed 47 pitches, 25 for strikes, to complete two innings.
The Cubs led 3-0 after two complete.
Dan Haren made quick work of Jean Segura (grounder to third) and Logan Schafer (strikeout looking). Taylor Jungmann singled to center on a 2-2 pitch for the Brewers first hit of the game. Shane Peterson followed with a single to right. Khris Davis stepped in with runners on first and second with two down. Davis rolled a 1-0 pitch to Bryant, who took it to the bag to end the inning. Dan Haren made 39 pitches, 26 for strikes, in three innings.
Chris Coghlan went from 0-2 to 4-2 to start the third. Coghlan tried to steal second on a 1-1 pitch to Rizzo. Coghlan was called out but upon further review, Coghlan was safe and Rizzo was at the plate with a 2-1 count.
Anthony Rizzo drove a 3-2 pitch into the gap in left center. Coghlan scored, 4-0 Cubs, on Rizzo’s double. Kris Bryant walked. With runners on first and second with no outs, Jorge Soler was called out on strikes … the 1-2 pitch was low and not a strike. Montero flied out to center. Rizzo tagged and went to third. Bryant swiped second on a 2-2 pitch to Haren. Jungmann continued to struggle with his fastball command and walked Dan Haren to load the bases.
Craig Counsell decided that was enough for his young right hander and replaced Taylor Jungmann with Tyler Thornburg. Addison Russell broke his bat on a 0-2 pitch and grounded out to third to end the inning.
After three complete, it was 4-0 Cubs.
Adam Lind led off the fourth inning and just missed a home run to center. Lind launched a 0-1 pitch over Fowler’s head, the ball hit at the top of the ivy just under the basket. Lind stopped at second with a double. Lucroy lined out to Bryant for the second time. Scooter Gennett dribbled a 1-0 pitch toward third. Bryant fielded and made a strong throw to first as Lind moved to third. Elian Herrera doubled to left and put the Brewers on the board. Lind scored, 4-1 Cubs. Segura tapped back to Haren to end the inning … 51 pitches for Haren after four, 35 for strikes.
Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber worked back-to-back walks to start the fourth inning. Chris Coghlan lined a 0-1 pitch over a leaping Gennett and into right. Fowler had to hold and advanced only to third. Rizzo stepped in with the bases loaded and no outs.
Anthony Rizzo looked at four straight out of the zone and forced in Fowler from third, 5-1 Cubs. Bryant struck out swinging (2-2 pitch) for the first out. Jorge Soler was hit in the forearm with a 2-2 pitch. Kyle Schwarber trotted in from third, 6-1 Cubs. Montero struck out swinging and Haren grounded out to third on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.
The Cubs forced Tyler Thornburg to throw 39 pitches in the fourth inning. And the Cubs led 6-1 after four.
Dan Haren issued his first free pass of the night to start the sixth inning. Haren walked Khris Davis and Adam Lind crushed a 0-2 pitch. The ball sailed into the bleachers in right center. Lind’s two-run homer made it a 6-3 game. Haren struck out Lucroy swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end his night. Maddon went to his pen for Travis Wood.
Wood retired Gennett on a fly out to left and caught Herrera looking at a 2-2 pitch to end the inning.
Anthony Rizzo led off the sixth with a single to right but was erased when Bryant rolled into a 6-4-3 double play. Kyle Lohse struck out Soler looking on a 2-2 pitch for the third out.
The Cubs led 6-3 after six innings.
And that was the final score. Travis Wood and Justin Grimm combined on a scoreless seventh. Pedro Strop set the Brewers down in order in the eighth and James Russell retired three of the four batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Jason Hammel faces Matt Garza on Wednesday night (7:05pm CDT) in game two with the Brewers.