Game One Hundred Nineteen – Cubs 6, Brewers 1
WP – Jon Lester (13-4) LP – Jimmy Nelson (6-13) Save – None
The Cubs scored five runs in the first inning with Jorge Soler delivering the big blast, a titanic three-run homer to the back of the bleachers in left center. David Ross added a booming solo shot in the third and Jon Lester took care of the rest as the Cubs topped the Brewers on Wednesday night at the old ballyard.
The Cubs took control of Wednesday’s game in the first inning. After Jon Lester struck out two of the three batters he faced in the top of the inning, the Cubs sent 10 to the plate, scored five times and forced Brewers’ starter Jimmy Nelson to make 49 pitches.
The Cubs relentless offense returned to Wrigley for one inning Wednesday and it was great to see them work counts and put a crooked number on the board.
Jon Lester was effective and turned in a solid outing. Lester’s command was off and he did not appear to find any kind of rhythm. The five-run first inning gave Lester a lot of cushion and David Ross’ solo homer in the third allowed Maddon to leave Lester in as long as possible coming off Tuesday’s doubleheader. Lester worked his way through a Brewers’ lineup without Ryan Braun. Lester pitched into the seventh inning and allowed one run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Lester made 118 pitches, 73 for strikes, in 6 2/3 innings.
Carl Edwards Jr. and Everyday Travis Wood completed the last 2 1/3 innings to nail down the win.
Dexter Fowler (1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored) set the tone for the offense. Fowler went from 0-2 to 4-2 to start the game and jogged to second when Jimmy Nelson hit Kris Bryant (0-for-2 with two HBP and a run scored). Anthony Rizzo (0-for-4) flied out to center.
Ben Zobrist (2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI) put the Cubs on the board with a single to right (2-2 pitch). Fowler scored and Bryant went to third. Addison Russell (1-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI) poked a 1-2 pitch into right. Bryant scored, 2-0 Cubs. Zobrist went to third with one out.
Jorge Soler (2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI) destroyed a 2-2 pitch. Soler launched a three-run homer to the back of the bleachers in left center. The ball appeared to just miss the bottom of the video board, 5-0 Cubs. Jason Heyward (1-for-4 with a double) doubled to left. David Ross struck out. But Jon Lester (0-for-2 with a walk) walked and Fowler stepped to the plate for the second time in the opening inning. Fowler was caught looking to end the first.
David Ross (1-for-2 with a home run and two walks) made it 6-0 in the third inning with a long homer to the bleachers in left.
The Cubs led by six runs after three innings and appeared to go into cruise control at that point. The Cubs finished the night with six runs on eight hits, four walks and two HBP. The Cubs were 3-for-10 with RISP and left seven men on base.
With Wednesday’s win, the Cubs improved to 76-43, a season-high 33 games over .500.
With a series win over the Brewers secured, the Cubs will go for the four-game sweep on Thursday afternoon (1:20pm CDT). Jake Arrieta is scheduled to face right-hander Zach Davies.