Hammel had two hits and the Cubs took control on Baez’s two-run shot to left-center in Chicago’s three-run sixth off lefty Rob Scahill to secure its 13th win in 15 games.
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The banged-up Milwaukee Brewers fell behind early and just couldn’t get anything going offensively.
Jorge Soler’s three-run homer capped a five-run first inning as the Chicago Cubs went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-1 at Wrigley Field.
Cahill was a pleasant surprise in that game, stifling Milwaukee over his five innings to earn the win.
Chicago jumped in front for the fourth straight game, scoring twice in the first against Davies.
“Other guys started to understand it and bought into it and grinded out at-bats”, said manager Craig Counsell, whose team ranked seventh in on-base percentage (.326) at the start of the day.
“We’re scuffling right now to get some offense together”.
RANGERS 6, ATHLETICS 2: At Arlington, Texas, Yu Darvish (4-3) struck out nine and Texas beat Oakland, giving the right-hander his first victory in his last 11 starts against the AL West-rival Athletics. “The at-bat’s not over. You’ve got to be extremely focused on every pitch when he does to bat”.
Jorge Soler’s three-run home run was the big blow off of Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson, who wound up losing his sixth straight game, falling to 6-13 on the season.
Hernan Perez hit a solo homer in the sixth off Arrieta, who allowed four runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Kluber is 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts since a July 3 loss at Toronto. We did a good job against Arrieta. “It makes our lives as pitchers a lot easier when they’re consistent”. The 30-year-old followed up eight shutout innings August 6 at Oakland with another solid performance Friday, holding St. Louis to one run and four hits over 5 2/3 frames.
Arrieta noticed he suddenly lost command of his sinker in the fourth, when, after two outs, he issued two consecutive walks that set up the three-run home run by Nieuwenhuis.
Despite walking 10 times overall and hitting a pair of home runs off the reigning National League Cy Young Award victor, it still wasn’t enough as the Brewers again fell to the Cubs, 9-6, on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Braun limped off after injuring his left knee and ankle and was held out of the lineup Wednesday night against the Cubs. Braun and Counsell said he might be ready to play Thursday in Chicago and is expected to play over the weekend in Seattle. RHP Chase Anderson, who was hit in the left quadriceps by Bryant’s comebacker Tuesday, said he felt much better and would play light catch and evaluate from there. The Cubs made several roster moves on Wednesday, placing RHP Joe Smith on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday (left hamstring strain); recalling RHP Spencer Patton from Triple-A Iowa; and putting OF Chris Coghlan on the 15-day disabled list (right rib contusion).
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David Robertson retired the final two hitters with two on in the ninth for his 30th save.
