On Memorial Day, the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs faced off in a highly anticipated game at American Family Field, with Craig Counsell making his return. 41,882 spectators packed the stadium for the game, which concluded in a 5-1 Brewers triumph.
Craig Counsell was booed heavily during his first game back that included the duration of a tribute video from the Milwaukee Brewers.
There were multiple occasions revolving around Craig Counsell where boos from Brewers fans echoed the stadium. A few moments included Counsell going to home plate to exchange the lineup card, his name being announced during starting lineups, during a tribute video, him taking one step out of the dugout to prevent Dansby Swanson from loosing his cool after a strike three call, and while making a pitching change.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Robert Gasser and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele both pitched gems.
Both the Brewers and Cubs started left-handed pitchers in this contest. Gasser was making his fourth career MLB start whereas Steele was making his sixth start of the 2024 season. Both looked sharp and neither gave up an earned run. Gasser covered six innings and struck out seven whereas Steele pitched seven innings and struck out eight.
A five run eighth inning was the difference in this ball game.
Craig Counsell brought in Mark Leiter Jr. as his first reliever in the bottom of the eighth inning. The first three hitters he faced all reached base (single, walk, and error – run scored). Hayden Wesneski replaced him and allowed Willy Adames to hit a three-run homer.
After Adames made it 4-0 Brewers they rallied for one more run in the eighth as Joey Ortiz scored on a RBI double from Jackson Chourio. The Cubs plated their first and only run of the game in the ninth inning off Hoby Milner.
Game two out of four in this series will be played on Tuesday, May 28 with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM CT.
