Brewers 4, Cubs 1
Jeff Bianchi hit his first major-league home run to back a strong start by Yovani Gallardo as visiting Milwaukee beat Chicago for the seventh straight time.
Bianchi had the green light on a 3-0 count in the second inning with two runners on and swung hard at a fastball from Travis Wood, sending it into the left field bleachers. The 25-year-old rookie has hit safely in four straight games after going hitless in his first 13 major-league at-bats.
Norichika Aoki doubled and scored in the eighth to pad the lead for the Brewers, who have taken 12 of 15 from the Cubs this season.
Gallardo (14-8) dominated through seven innings, surrendering one run on three hits while striking out nine and walking three. The right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in his last six starts.
Gallardo’s lone blemish came against Wood in the third, when the opposing pitcher belted an 0-2 fastball into the stands in left-center for his third career homer.
Wood (4-11) ended up allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter in dropping to 0-8 in his last nine starts.
John Axford struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 29 chances.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Wood has received an average of 2.3 runs of support in his last nine outings. … Recently released Brewers LHP Randy Wolf appears close to signing a deal with the Baltimore Orioles. … Milwaukee reportedly has placed RHP Shaun Marcum on waivers. … The Cubs finalized a seven-year, $60 million contract extension with SS Starlin Castro. … Chicago activated RHP Blake Parker from the 60-day disabled list and designated LHP Alex Hinshaw for assignment.