The Chicago Cubs defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Saturday, with Nico Hoerner hitting his first career lead-off home run, Christopher Morel hitting his third homer in as many games, and Patrick Wisdom sending one into the stands.
Chicago tied their first divisional series of the season at one apiece in manager Craig Counsell’s first meeting with his former team. Pat Murphy, the Brewers manager, returned to the dugout after serving a two-game ban for his role in an altercation with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Milwaukee came within one twice late in the game. When Chicago’s Keegan Thompson replaced starter Jameson Taillon (3-0), up 4-0 after six strong innings, he walked Rhys Hoskins. Then Oliver Dunn hit a triple that sent Hoskins home. Blake Perkins homered the next at-bat.
Jackson Chourio singled before Counsell brought in Mark Leiter Jr. Sal Frelick then doubled on a ground ball to Mike Tauchman who tossed Dansby Swanson a tough throw he couldn’t collect. Chourio rounded the bases on the error, making the score 4-5.
Leiter cleaned it up in the eighth and Wisdom hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning that sent Michael Busch home from third.
Héctor Neris pitched the ninth inning and walked Blake Perkins. William Contreras’ RBI single scored Perkins, bringing the score back within one. With the winning run on second, Tyler Black grounded into a forceout to close the game, giving Neris his sixth save of the season.
Taillon gave up two hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings. The righty has now allowed one earned run or fewer in four straight starts.
Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers (0-2) allowed four runs on three hits and walked four over three innings for the loss.
Trainer’s room
Cubs: CF Cody Bellinger and RF Seiya Suzuki participated in hitting and defensive drills pregame, and Counsell said returns from the 10-day injured list next week are “realistic” for them both. Bellinger sustained two fractured ribs trying to make a catch into Wrigley Field’s brick wall April 24, while Suzuki suffered a right oblique strain running out a ground ball to first on April 14. “They’re both largely in the same spot,” Counsell said. “I think we’ve got a chance to be without a rehab assignment. It’s likely Seiya does one, a very short one. I think Bellinger, maybe not.”
Brewers: LF Joey Wiemer was placed on the 10-day IL with knee discomfort. Wiemer exited Friday’s game against the Cubs after injuring his left knee trying to catch a ball in left field.
