Brewers' Anderson leads shutout of Cubs

[June 13, 2018]  Chase Anderson, Taylor Williams and Jacob Barnes combined to pitch a two-hit shutout as the host Milwaukee Brewers cruised to a 4-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night at Miller Park.

Travis Shaw finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and a season-high four RBIs to lead the Brewers at the plate. Milwaukee regained a half-game lead over Chicago for first place in the National League Central.

Willson Contreras and Addison Russell tallied the only hits for Chicago, which was blanked for the fifth time this year. The Cubs lost to the Brewers for only the second time in 10 meetings this season.

Anderson (5-5) dominated Cubs batters over seven innings to pick up his first victory since May 21. The 30-year-old allowed one hit and walked two while striking out six. His ERA dropped from 4.57 to 4.13.

Cubs right-hander Tyler Chatwood (3-5) failed to record a quality start for the eighth straight outing. He surrendered four runs (three earned) in five innings. He issued two walks to increase his season total to 60 walks in 68 1/3 innings, which is the worst mark in the majors.

Milwaukee jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Eric Thames and Christian Yelich set the tone with back-to-back singles to start the frame, and Shaw capitalized in the cleanup spot with a two-run double to right field.

The Brewers scored two more runs to pull ahead 4-0 in the third after a botched defensive rundown by the Cubs. Shaw delivered again with a two-run double into the right field corner to score Yelich and Lorenzo Cain.

Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson (57) throw a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson preserved the lead until exiting after 107 pitches (67 strikes). Williams entered the game in the eighth and struck out Contreras and Javy Baez en route to his scoreless inning.

Barnes pitched a perfect ninth, eliciting an infield pop fly by Cubs slugger Kris Bryant to end the game.

The teams will wrap up the three-game series Wednesday as Cubs left-hander Mike Montgomery (2-1, 3.56 ERA) squares off against Brewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (5-1, 3.58 ERA).

--Field Level Media

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