Bryant blast in 10th helps Cubs beat Brewers
MILWAUKEE -- Kris Bryant's two-run home run in the 10th inning led Chicago past Milwaukee 5-3 on Thursday night at Miller Park, boosting the Cubs' lead over the Brewers to 4 1/2 games in the National League Central.
Milwaukee was trying to bounce back after a rough loss a night earlier, but it couldn't take advantage of 12 hits and went 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position while stranding 12.
Javier Baez tied the game for Chicago with a ninth-inning single, and the Brewers squandered a bases-loaded, one-out opportunity in the bottom of the ninth.
The late collapse spoiled an outstanding effort from Zach Davies, who held the Cubs to two runs on seven hits and two walks -- one intentional -- in seven innings. He gave Milwaukee's strained bullpen a much-needed break.
Jake Arrieta worked five innings in his first start since Sept. 4. He missed his previous two turns in the rotation because of a strained hamstring but was cleared earlier this week. He held Milwaukee to a run -- a solo homer by Domingo Santana -- on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Kyle Schwarber gave him an early lead, taking Davies deep to left with one out in the second for his 29th home run of the season. The Cubs added another run in the third on Anthony Rizzo's RBI single.
Chicago reliever Carl Edwards preserved the lead with a quiet sixth inning, and Brain Duensing got some help when Manny Pina bounced into a double play with one on and nobody out in the seventh.
However, after pinch hitter Keon Broxton drew a walk, the Cubs turned to Pedro Strop to face another pinch hitter, Jesus Aguilar, who drew another walk. Eric Sogard then ripped a line drive single in the right, driving in Broxton to tie the game at 2.
Santana led off the eighth with a double off Justin Grimm, then stole third before Thames sent him home with a base hit to put Milwaukee in front.
Grimm got out of the inning, but Jeremy Jeffress, filling in for Corey Knebel -- unavailable after working three straight games -- got burned in the ninth. Jeffress gave up a leadoff single to Ian Hap and later and a two-out RBI single to Baez.
Milwaukee had a golden opportunity in the ninth, loading the bases against Wade Davis (4-1) but coming up empty when Santana struck out and Orlando Arcia hit a chopper to the mound.
Milwaukee's bullpen had been depleted over the two previous nights, leaving Oliver Drake (3-5) to work the 10th. He failed to retire a batter, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk.
NOTES: Milwaukee had won three straight games against the Cubs, outscoring Chicago 20-3 in those contests. ... The overall series season is tied, with each side winning eight games. ... Prior to the late meltdown Thursday, Brewers relievers had a combined 1.08 ERA over their last 12 games, lowering the overall bullpen ERA to 3.84 on the season. ... Chicago has won 20 of its last 30 road games after starting the season 18-25 away from Wrigley Field.