Brewers 4, Cubs 1
CHICAGO -- Right-hander Zach Davies worked six shutout innings for his second win of the month as the Milwaukee Brewers avoided a series sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
The Brewers (64-88) snapped a two-game losing streak. The Cubs (89-63) saw a two-game winning run end and missed a chance for their 90th victory.
Milwaukee starter Zach Davies improved to 2-2 as he allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four. Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (7-7) took the loss, his first since Aug. 26.
Right-handed reliever Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth for his 35th save.
Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler's bid to force a 1-1 tie was thwarted in the sixth. Easterly winds helped keep a leadoff drive inside the park and Brewers right fielder Domingo Santana made the catch at the warning track.
Milwaukee first baseman Adam Lind launched a leadoff double to the left-field wall in the seventh and scored on left fielder Khris Davis' first-pitch base hit to right center that made it 2-0.
Hendricks was pulled after that for right-handed reliever Justin Grimm.
Grimm loaded the bases with one out for Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado, whose one-out sacrifice fly to left brought home Davis for a 3-0 lead. Davies was pulled for pinch hitter Jason Rogers, who walked to again load the bases.
But Cubs left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup prevented more damage as pinch hitter Hernan Perez grounded to third to close the inning.
Hendricks was responsible for all three runs while allowing four hits and striking out eight while working six-plus innings.
Chicago right-fielder Jorge Soler broke the shutout in the Cubs' seventh with his 10th homer of the season, a towering solo shot to left on a first pitch off Milwaukee left-handed reliever Will Smith.
Maldonado made it 4-1 in the ninth with a two-out single down the third-base line to score Santana from third.
Hendricks retired 14 straight Milwaukee batters through 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one ball to the outfield, before the Brewers ended the shutout.
Shortstop Jean Segura beat out a two-out infield base hit, stole second and came home for a 1-0 lead on third baseman Luis Sardinas' single to shallow left.
Davies held the Cubs to two hits in the first five innings.
NOTES: Milwaukee INF Yadiel Rivera made his major league debut on Tuesday as a defensive replacement, becoming the eighth Brewers player to appear in his first big league game this season. ... Milwaukee opens a seven-game trip on Thursday with the first of four in St. Louis. The Brewers send RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.31 ERA) against Cardinals RHP Michael Wacha (16-6, 3.08). ... Brewers 1B Adam Lind already has his fifth 20-home run season and needed just four RBIs entering Wednesday's games for his second 90-plus RBI season. ... Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo and 3B Kris Bryant are neck-and-neck with big stick production. Rizzo has a 30-26 lead in homers and Bryant has a 98-95 lead in RBIs. ... The Cubs are idle Thursday -- their final scheduled off day during the regular season -- and host the Pirates for three games starting Friday in a showdown for the first National League wild-card spot. ... The Pirates send RHP Gerrit Cole (17-8) against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (10-11) in the opener. ... RHP Jake Arrieta (20-6) goes for another win in Sunday's series finale.