|
 Maddon changed his tune on Thursday after stiff southwesterly
breezes helped the Cubs slug five home runs in a 9-2 victory over
the Milwaukee Brewers.
"It's incredible, isn't it?" he said. "If that game is played on
another day with the wind blowing in, it's probably a one-run game.
... The ballpark turned around today and our guys took advantage of
it."
The Cubs slammed three home runs in an inning for the first time
since 2008 en route to a second straight series sweep.
Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with two home runs and
four RBIs, and had one of the three homers during a pivotal four-run
fifth inning.
Center fielder Dexter Fowler and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also
homered in the fifth.
The victory was the seventh straight and 13th in 14 games for
Chicago (65-48) and temporarily moved the Cubs within one game of
Pittsburgh for the National League's top wild-card spot.
Cubs left hander Jon Lester (8-8) worked six innings for his third
victory in his last four starts. He allowed two runs, seven hits and
two walks and struck out 10.
It was Lester's fourth double-digit strikeout performance of the
year and 24th of his career.
"Jonny was outstanding again," Maddon said. "He had to battle
through some moments, but he was really good. (Cubs catcher) David
Ross does a really good job controlling all of that. Look at his
trips to the mound and look at him throwing out runners."
Brewers starter Tyler Cravy (0-4) gave up four runs, four hits and
three walks in 4 1/3 innings as Milwaukee (48-68) dropped its third
straight and fifth in the last six games.
"He's getting outs, but he struggled the last two times," Brewers
manager Craig Counsell said. "It's kind of been that third time
through (the order) that feels like it shifted a little bit with the
hitters taking better swings against him."
Chicago swept four games from San Francisco last week and completed
the three-game sweep of Milwaukee on Thursday.
The Cubs opened the scoring in the second when Rizzo came home on
right fielder Jorge Soler's single to left.
The Brewers tied it in the top of the third as right fielder Ryan
Braun reached base on an infield single with two outs to drive in
shortstop Jean Segura. Braun then stole second and third but was
stranded when first baseman Jason Rogers flied out to right.
Milwaukee missed an opportunity to add on in the fifth when Segura
doubled and then was caught trying to steal third on a throw from
Ross to third baseman Kris Bryant. Segura likely would have scored
when Braun later singled to right.
The Cubs instead jumped ahead in the bottom of the inning when
Fowler homered to right for a 3-1 lead.
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The ball hit the edge of the bleacher wall, ricocheted over the edge
of the outfield basket and landed back onto the field. It was
initially ruled a double, but replay officials changed it to a
two-run homer that also brought in shortstop Addison Russell.
Schwarber then launched a 2-2 pitch to center field for his seventh
home run of the season and a 4-1 Cubs lead. That was it for Cravy,
who threw 96 pitches.
"I kept playing a lot of things I would have done different,
probably, with pitch selections," Cravy said.
Rizzo greeted Brewers right-handed reliever Corey Kneel with a
two-out homer to left center for a 5-1 lead.
Rizzo's homer, a team-leading 22nd of the season, came on a 2-2
pitch and marked the first time the Cubs had three home runs in an
inning at Wrigley Field since June 21, 2008, against the Chicago
White Sox.
Milwaukee got one run back in the sixth as third baseman Hernan
Perez singled with one out to deep center to score second baseman
Elian Herrera.
Facing Brewers right-handed reliever Francisco Rodriguez in the
eighth, pinch-hitter Chris Denorfia made it 8-2 with Chicago's fifth
homer of the day.
Schwarber's RBI single brought home Fowler to make it 9-2.
"It's definitely enjoyable," Schwarber said of the multi-homer day.
"(But) it's Wrigley Field, you never know what you're going to get."
NOTES: The Brewers and Cubs will meet in two more series this
season, including a three-game set that begins Sept. 21 at Wrigley
Field. ... After clubbing his 20th home run of the season and 250th
of his career on Wednesday, Milwaukee RF Ryan Braun looks to add to
his stolen base total (now at 16) and post the fourth 20/20 season
of his career. ... The Brewers will return home Friday for a
three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, part of a six-game
home stand. On Friday, Philadelphia will send LHP Adam Morgan (3-3,
4.06 ERA) against Milwaukee RHP Wily Peralta (2-7, 4.48). ... Cubs
manager Joe Maddon envisions either Kyle Schwarber or Miguel Montero
as the designated hitter for at least the first of three games
against the cross-town rival White Sox starting Friday at U.S.
Cellular Field. The White Sox took two of three last month at
Wrigley Field. ... The last time the Cubs were this far above .500
was at the end of the 2008 season with a 97-64 record.
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