Cubs hit three home runs and stifled Brewers’ late rally in series-tying 6–5 victory

Cubs hit three home runs and stifled Brewers’ late rally in series-tying 6–5 victory originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner hit his first career home run, Christopher Morel hit his third home run in as many games and Patrick Wisdom sent one into the stands as the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Saturday.

“Our offense has been a little quiet lately, obviously,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Christopher is in trouble now. Homers, I think for most guys, come in bunches, and he had a good week.”

Chicago tied its first divisional series of the year with a tie apiece in Counsell’s first series against his former team. Brewers manager Pat Murphy also returned to the dugout after serving a two-game suspension for his role in a fight with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Milwaukee got within one point twice late in the game. When Chicago’s Keegan Thompson relieved starter Jameson Taillon (3-0), taking a 4-0 lead after six strong innings, he walked Rhys Hoskins. Then Oliver Dunn hit a triple that sent Hoskins home. Blake Perkins scored the next hit.

Jackson Chourio scored before Counsell brought in Mark Leiter Jr. Sal Frelick then doubled on a ground ball to Mike Tauchman, who threw Dansby Swanson a tough pitch that he couldn’t catch. Chourio rounded the bases on the error, making the score 4-5.

Leiter cleaned up in the eighth and Wisdom hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning that sent Michael Busch home from third.

“I just shortened the swing, I wanted to put something in the middle of the field and I was able to put the bat on the ball in a big place,” Wisdom said. “Every run is important, but especially late in the game.”

Héctor Neris came in to pitch the ninth inning and walked Blake Perkins. An RBI single by William Contreras scored Perkins to bring the score to one again. With the winning streak in second place, Tyler Black was forced to close out the game, sealing Neris’ sixth save of the season.

“He’s been to all the important spots, he’s had the bases loaded, he’s been thrown on the road in tough situations, he’s been thrown in the playoffs,” Taillon said of Neris. “He is confident and there is definitely no panic.”

Taillon gave up two hits and two walks while striking out seven in six innings. The right-hander has now allowed one earned run or less in four consecutive starts.

“He’s really in control and his command is excellent,” Counsell said. “I thought he did a wonderful job with the run game today, just making a lot of throws.”

Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers (0-2) allowed four runs on three hits and walked four in three innings for the loss.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: CF Cody Bellinger and RF Seiya Suzuki participated in pregame batting and defensive drills, and Counsell said returns from the 10-day injured list next week are “realistic” for both. Bellinger suffered two fractured ribs while trying to hit the Wrigley Field brick wall on April 24, while Suzuki suffered a right oblique strain while throwing a low fly ball to first on April 14. . “I think we have a chance to do without a rehabilitation task. It’s likely that Seiya will make 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 left Friday’s game against the Cubs after injuring his left knee while trying to catch a ball in left field.

NEXT

RHP Javier Assad (2-0, 1.97 ERA) will take over Sunday for the Cubs looking for their first win since April 14 against Seattle. The Brewers will start RHP Freddy Peralta (3-0, 3.21), who appealed the five-game suspension he received for his role in Milwaukee’s brawl against the Rays on Tuesday. Peralta is cleared to play as long as the appeals process is not completed before his scheduled appearance.

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