In a thrilling extra-innings showdown, the Chicago Cubs clinched a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, wrapping up their three-game series with a win on Sunday. The Cubs, showing their recent hot streak, have now taken six of their last seven games, establishing themselves as a team to watch.
Jacob Webb played a pivotal role, securing the win with a scoreless ninth inning despite allowing a hit and a walk. Meanwhile, Ryan Rolison set the tone early as the opener, giving up just one run on two hits over two innings.
On the Brewers' side, Brandon Woodruff made an impressive return to the mound, allowing only one hit and striking out six over 5 2/3 innings after coming back from right shoulder inflammation. However, the Brewers are now looking to rebound after dropping two straight following a five-game winning streak.
The Cubs broke the 1-1 deadlock in the top of the 10th inning. With Justin Dean as the automatic runner and two outs, the Brewers' reliever Joel Kuhnel opted to intentionally walk Pete Crow-Armstrong.
This strategy backfired when Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Michael Busch then worked a four-pitch walk, allowing Dean to score and give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.
Seiya Suzuki delivered the crucial blow with a single to left, driving in Crow-Armstrong and Bregman to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Brewers didn't go quietly, though. In their half of the 10th, automatic runner Joey Ortiz scored on Christian Yelich's single to right, narrowing the gap to 4-2.
With the bases loaded after a walk to Jackson Chourio and a single from Brice Turang, the Cubs turned to Jordan Wicks. Wicks walked pinch hitter Garrett Mitchell, which brought in Yelich and made it a nail-biting 4-3 game.
However, Wicks held his nerve, inducing Gary Sanchez to ground into a double play, sealing the win and earning the save.
Earlier in the game, Sanchez had given the Brewers an initial 1-0 lead with a towering 415-foot homer in the second inning. The Cubs responded in the seventh, tying the game at 1-1. Ian Happ's walk and Nico Hoerner's single set the stage, with Happ eventually scoring on a wild pitch from Aaron Ashby.
This victory not only underscores the Cubs' resilience but also highlights their ability to capitalize on late-game opportunities. As they continue their surge, the Cubs are sending a clear message to the league: they're a force to be reckoned with.
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Logan Henderson Just Gave The Brewers Rotation A Much Needed Sign
Logan Hendersons first rehab start for Triple-A Nashville offered the Brewers exactly the kind of early encouragement they were hoping for after his low back strain sidelined him in late May. The right-hander worked three perfect innings, struck out seven and was lifted in the fourth after throwing 50 pitches, a sharp enough outing to suggest his stuff is still playing like it did before the injury interrupted his momentum.
Before getting hurt, Henderson had given Milwaukee a legitimate lift with a 2.74 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 23 innings, and the club has plenty of reason to keep tracking his recovery closely. His fastball was also sitting near his season level, another reassuring sign as he works his way back toward rejoining the rotation picture. [Read more 🡒]
One Familiar Arm Changed Everything For The Brewers This Week
The Brewers spent the week moving through six games against the Reds and Cubs, and the difference between a solid stretch and a frustrating one kept coming back to the same place: the mound. Milwaukee went 4-2 overall, with Brandon Woodruffs starts helping stabilize a rotation that needed a lift, while Joel Kuhnel handled the late innings when the Brewers had a lead to protect. Add in timely offense from Jake Bauers, William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell, and it was the kind of trip that hinted at how dangerous this club can be when pitching and bats line up at the same time.
The challenge now is figuring out whether that balance can hold once the schedule gets less forgiving. The Brewers got quality work from multiple arms against two division rivals, including a strong outing from Jacob Misiorowski and another scoreless turn from Woodruff later in the week, but they also saw how quickly a game can slip away when the bullpen has to cover for a starters exit. For a team trying to stack wins, the encouraging part is clear enough. The harder part is whether this week was a glimpse of whats coming, or just the latest reminder that the margin is still thin. [Read more 🡒]