Brown flirts with no-hitter as Cubs outlast Brewers in extras
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Mike Tauchman hit a go-ahead single in Chicago’s five-run 10th inning that appeared to bounce off Trevor Megill’s throwing elbow, and the Cubs stopped a five-game skid by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 on Tuesday night.
Ben Brown struck out a career-high 10 in seven hitless innings, continuing the Brewers’ season-long futility against Cubs starting pitchers. The Brewers got their first hit on Sal Frelick’s one-out single off Hayden Wesneski in the eighth.
“It was like an angry fastball,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Brown. “It was just really good, and it was overpowering for much of the game.”
Cubs starters have combined to throw 32 1/3 shutout innings against the Brewers so far this season. The Cubs turned to their bullpen after Brown threw a career-high 93 pitches, 64 for strikes, in the right-hander’s sixth career start and 13th appearance overall.
“I kind of understand how it works,” Brown said. “I’ve said it a million times: I trust Craig. He’s awesome. He’s great. He’s doing it for my career moving forward and what’s best for the team.”
After Willy Adames’ two-out RBI single in the ninth forced extra innings, Tauchman opened the 10th by delivering a 99.4-mph shot that hit Megill, who reacted in obvious pain and headed straight toward the dugout.
As Megill left the field, the ball remained right in front of the pitcher’s mound for several seconds before first baseman Owen Miller raced toward it. But automatic runner Luis Vázquez slid home safely to put Chicago ahead for good by scoring the first run of his career.
“Super happy, super excited,” Vázquez said through a translator. “I hope that’s the first of many.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game that Megill didn’t suffer a fracture but offered no other details regarding the right-hander’s injury.
“He got drilled pretty hard,” Murphy said. “He’s going to be good and sore for a while.”
Hoby Milner replaced Megill and allowed hits to four of his six batters, including a two-run double by Ian Happ and RBI singles from Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch.
Milwaukee got two runs in the bottom of the 10th before Tyson Miller struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the game.
The Brewers’ NL Central lead over the Cubs was trimmed to 3 1/2 games.
Chicago’s 10th-inning outburst helped Counsell get a measure of revenge one day after the Cubs lost 5-1 in his return to American Family Field. Counsell, the winningest manager in Brewers history, left for Chicago in November after the Cubs offered him a five-year contract worth over $40 million.
For the second straight day, Counsell was showered with boos every time he left the dugout.
Adames forced extra innings with his clutch swing against Héctor Neris (5-0) for the Brewers’ second hit of the game. Two innings earlier, Bellinger reached his arm over the wall in right-center to rob Adames of a potential tying homer.
Adames’ single brought home Christian Yelich, who drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on a balk. Adames was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double.
Cubs assistant pitching coach Daniel Moskos was ejected before the 10th inning for arguing the balk call.
Chicago took a 1-0 lead when Busch homered against Freddy Peralta in the third.
Peralta threw a career-high 111 pitches and struck out 11 while allowing three hits in 5 2/3 innings.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (strained forearm) threw 52 pitches and allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in a rehabilitation appearance with Triple-A Iowa.
Brewers: RHP Jakob Junis (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a live bullpen session. He expects to throw live batting practice Friday before beginning a rehab assignment. ... LHP DL Hall is getting a second opinion after aggravating the injury to his left knee during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.
UP NEXT
LHP Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.84 ERA) pitches for the Cubs and RHP Bryse Wilson (3-1, 2.86) starts for the Brewers on Wednesday night.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB