Cubs 9, Brewers 5
CHICAGO -- First baseman Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-3 and scored three runs, and pinch hitter Jorge Soler smacked a three-run home run as the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 Monday.
Soler's seventh-inning homer, his ninth of the season, came off Brewers left-handed reliever Cesar Jimenez. It was his first career pinch-hit shot.
Cubs right-handed starter Jason Hammel (9-6) gave up four runs (three earned) in five innings but still earned his second September victory. Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta (5-10) allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings while taking his second consecutive loss.
The Cubs (88-62) beat the Brewers (63-87) for the eighth straight time this year and their sixth win in their past seven games overall. Milwaukee lost for the ninth time in 10 starts.
Soler's three-run shot brought home Rizzo -- who reached base five times -- and second baseman Starlin Castro to temporarily open a five-run lead.
Brewers left fielder Khris Davis cut the margin to 9-5 with an eighth-inning solo homer.
The Brewers opened a short-lived 2-0 lead in the first. Second baseman Scooter Gennett scored from third on a Hammel throwing error. Right fielder Domingo Santana drove in center fielder Logan Schafer with a two-out single to center.
In the second, Castro doubled to deep center with none out to drive home Rizzo and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Cubs added two more runs for a 3-2 lead when as center fielder Dexter Fowler drove in shortstop Addison Russell and right fielder Chris Coghlan with two outs.
Milwaukee first baseman Adam Lind forged a 4-4 tie with his 20th home run of the season on a 1-1 pitch off Hammel with two outs.
With no outs in the fifth, Rizzo doubled to the right field corner and advanced third baseman Kris Bryant to third in the process. Castro's sacrifice to left-center brought in Bryant for a 5-4 lead, and catcher Miguel Montero's base hit to right drove in Rizzo to make it 6-4.
NOTES: Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he had a quick conversation with new GM David Stearns on Sunday, the first of many lengthy talks expected as Milwaukee seeks to rebuild. Stearns, 30, was introduced as the team's ninth GM at a Monday press conference in Milwaukee. He had previously served in the Houston Astros front office. ... Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun remained out of the lineup as he nurses a sore back. One report suggested he may seek off-season back surgery. ... Brewers RHP Tyler Cravy (0-7) will start Tuesday in place of RHP Jimmy Nelson. Nelson was struck in the head by a liner last week against the Cardinals but did not suffer a concussion. Still, a neurologist recommended he shut down for the rest of the season. ... Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (19-6) gets another shot at his 20th win Tuesday after getting a no-decision last Wednesday at Pittsburgh.