The shutout streak is over for the Milwaukee Brewers, but the late-inning magic continues. The Brewers snapped out of their offensive funk Friday and picked up their third one-run victory, and they’ll try to keep the positive momentum going when they host the Chicago Cubs for the third game of a four-game series Saturday.
Milwaukee had been blanked in two straight games and was scoreless through four innings Friday before busting out with a pair of two-run homers during a four-run fifth. Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the ninth gave the Brewers a 5-4 win – their second walk-off win in four games and their third win in their last at-bat. The Cubs’ bullpen continued its outstanding work with three scoreless innings to keep the game tied before Milwaukee’s ninth-inning rally. The loss dropped the Cubs to 0-4 when scoring four or fewer runs, while they are 3-0 when scoring more than four.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-0, 10.38 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (0-1, 9.53)
Darvish did not dazzle in his Cubs debut last Saturday, allowing five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. The 31-year-old struggled to command his fastball, walking two batters and hitting two more, and he generated only nine swinging strikes. Darvish faced the Brewers last season and allowed three runs over five innings with seven strikeouts in a loss.
Davies had a rough outing Monday against St. Louis, allowing seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old struck out six and didn’t walk anyone, but he hit a batter and gave up a home run. Davies is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who is off to a 3-for-28 start, was scratched from Friday’s lineup with tightness in his lower back and is listed as day-to-day.
2. Brewers closer Corey Knebel went on the disabled list Friday with a strained left hamstring and is expected to miss at least six weeks.
3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant is 11-for-28 with two doubles, a triple, and a homer against Davies.