Cubs' postseason hopes take hit in 10-inning loss to Brewers

[September 30, 2023]  Carlos Santana hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host Milwaukee Brewers edged the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
 
It was a costly defeat for Chicago, which has lost four in a row to see its National League wild-card hopes fade.  

Sep 29, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Caleb Boushley (57) is dunked after picking up his first win in his first major league game against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Santana's line drive to left plated Blake Perkins, who pinch-ran for automatic runner William Contreras.

Caleb Boushley (1-0), making his major league debut, blew a save in the ninth but came away with the victory thanks to Santana's late-game heroics. Boushley allowed one run on one hit in 2 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out five.

Santana also had a two-run triple and Victor Caratini finished with a pair of singles for Milwaukee (91-69), which has won seven of its past 10 games.

Chicago trailed 3-0 entering the eighth, but Jeimer Candelario hit a leadoff homer and, after Christopher Morel tripled, Yan Gomes brought home another run with a groundout to make it 3-2.

Ian Happ then drew the Cubs even at 3-3 with a solo shot to open the ninth, but the visitors left the bases loaded in the top of the 10th.

Jose Cuas (3-2) took the loss.

Morel went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk for Chicago.

The Cubs (82-78) have lost 11 of their past 15 games, falling 1 1/2 games behind the Marlins (83-76) for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Miami beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 earlier Friday. Chicago is also now tied with the Cincinnati Reds (82-78), who routed the St. Louis Cardinals 19-2 on Friday.

After stranding a pair of runners in the fourth, the Brewers finally broke through in the fifth.

Singles from Caratini and Brice Turang and a walk to Christian Yelich loaded the bases with no outs. Contreras then sent a grounder up the middle that was bobbled by second baseman Nico Hoerner, allowing Milwaukee to avoid a double play while simultaneously bringing home a run.

Santana then pulled a ball down the first base line to plate Turang and Contreras for a 3-0 lead.

Milwaukee starter Colin Rea allowed just two hits across five scoreless innings and struck out six, while Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks gave up three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

--Field Level Media

[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.