Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo (44) gets a hug from bench coach Dave Martinez after his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Milwaukee.
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Garza had worked through a bases loaded, one out jam in the top of the first, getting a fielder’s choice at the plate from Addison Russell and a groundout to short from Chris Coghlin.
But Milwaukee rallied from a 1-0 deficit as its first seven batters reached against Hammel (14-8).
But after his third rough outing in four starts Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the questions surrounding his playoff status are increasing, and manager Joe Maddon didn’t rule out the possibility of moving him into the bullpen at some point down the stretch to see how he might fare in that role.
Mike Montgomery will try to get Chicago back on track Wednesday when the Cubs wrap-up a three-game series in Milwaukee.
“I’ll have to fight my way in there”, he said, “especially hitting two homers. Obviously, the three looks bad at the end”. Jonathan Villar homered on Hammel’s second pitch, Ryan Braun had an RBI single, Domingo Santana singled in two runs and Martin Maldonado added a sacrifice fly.
Maddon said he knew that ball would carry to the fence as soon as it was hit. “We kind of got Hammel out of his rhythm to start the game and we took advantage of it”.
After Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs Tuesday night against Wily Peralta, the Cubs’ slugger didn’t want to hear that manager Joe Maddon plans to give him a rest Wednesday night. “You don’t get opportunities like that (very often)”, Counsell said. LOB – Chicago 5, Milwaukee 6.
Milwaukee had a single and four walks in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, but couldn’t get a runner past second.
“They’re a great team and they’ve been hot, so thank God I got a big lead early”, said Peralta, who scattered six hits and a walk over 7 2/3 innings of work and earned his second victory since returning from a two-month minor league demotion August 9. Montgomery worked five innings for the Cubs, allowing those two hits, walking two and striking out six, with the one earned run.
“I knew I hit it well, it just wasn’t carrying as much as it was yesterday”, Rizzo said. “I feel happy for the team because we won”, Villar said.
“I made one mistake”, Garza said. Obviously, it doesn’t sit well, but we’re fortunate to have a very comfortable lead right now. Villar has moved to 15 homers, and had one from both sides of the plate tonight. “I’ve said it time and time again, it’s just progression”.
Milwaukee recalled right-hander Damien Maginfico and catcher Andrew Susac from Colorado Springs and right-hander Taylor Jungmann from Class AA Biloxi. Since being acquired by the Cubs in July, Montgomery has an ERA of 4.09 (4.20 xFIP) with a 1.59 WHIP.
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