Cubs rally, defeat Brewers in 13 innings
MILWAUKEE -- Travis Wood worked out of a bases-loaded jam with nobody out in the bottom of the 12th, then drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk in the top of the 13th as the Chicago Cubs rallied late to beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 2-1, early Thursday morning at Miller Park.
After being held at bay most of the night by the Brewers' pitching and defense, Chicago finally broke through in the ninth against right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, who had previously converted all 11 of his save opportunities this season.
He opened the inning by hitting Rizzo with a pitch, then gave up a single to Ben Zobrist. Back to back groundouts to second moved the runners up, and sent Rizzo home before Jeffress stranded the go-ahead run at third with a strikeout of pinch-hitter Tim Federowicz.
Pedro Strop held Milwaukee's 2-3-4 hitters at bay with just nine pitches in the bottom of the inning, sending the game to extra innings.
Wood (2-0) put the first three Milwaukee batters on in the 12th only to escape with a shallow fly to center and two pop-ups in the infield.
Carlos Torres wasn't as fortunate, allowing Zobrist's third single of the day to open the 13th then hit Tommy Le Stella before giving a free pass to Miguel Montreo, loading the bases for Wood.
The Brewers put two on in the bottom of the inning but Clayton Richard got the final out for Wood, earning his first save.
The rare miscue by Jeffress spoiled an otherwise stellar night from Jimmy Nelson, who worked 7 1/3 shutout innings and held Chicago to five hits and three walks -- one intentional -- while striking out five.
Despite the 10 baserunners -- Nelson also hit a batter -- traffic was kept to a minimum thanks to a season-high three double plays from Milwaukee's infield.
Cubs starter John Lackey limited his damage, as well, allowing just a run on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings of work.
His lone run came in the fifth, when Kirk Nieuwenhuis led off with a double and scored when Alex Presley reached on a fielder's choice to second.
Presley ended the inning getting caught in a rundown off second, one of four times the Brewers made an out at second base in the game.
NOTES: Brewers LF Ryan Braun was back on the bench Wednesday night, battling through tightness in his lower back. He had returned to the lineup the night before after missing two games with a sore right wrist. Manager Craig Counsell wouldn't say whether or not Braun was available to pinch-hit against the Cubs. ... Three of Milwaukee's injured pitchers would all throw bullpen sessions this week. RHP Matt Garza will go Thursday, his first time throwing off a mound since suffering a shoulder injury during the final exhibition game of spring while RHP Corey Knebel (oblique) will go Friday. LHP Will Smith (knee) will throw his third bullpen session Wednesday then face live hitters over the weekend. If all goes well, he'll start a minor league rehab assignment next week. ... Cubs OF Matt Szczur (hamstring) was slated to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee Wednesday night, manager Joe Maddon said.