Cubs can’t muster offense in 4-1 loss to Brewers

“A little of it was game plan, going after hitters, attacking them and making sure I’m not losing strikes down in the zone and making sure that I’m making them swing”.

“It was a great performance, I think a real confidence-builder for him”, Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. “But overall, personally, I just got to take some good things from that one tonight and build on it”.

“It’s not about him getting hit”, Maddon said.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth and picked up his 35th save in 37 opportunities, keeping Chicago’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth at three.

The Cubs, who are closing in on their first playoff spot since 2008, have a potent top of the lineup, but Davies kept Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo off base. He gave up three runs on four hits in six-plus innings. The 22-year-old walked four against the Reds and has issued 12 free passes in 21 innings since being called up. Counsell said Hendricks is a pitcher Davies should watch. It doesn’t seem as if he’s hurt now; his velocity is still good, he just doesn’t have control or command of his pitches.

Norton comes to the Brewers after spending the last nine seasons in the finance department of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs (89-63) saw a two-game winning run end and missed a chance for their 90th victory.

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Wednesday evening.

Joe Maddon said the Cubs haven’t made any final decisions about a playoff rotation, but the manager didn’t rule out the idea of a bullpen day at some point after Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. “He threw the ball really well, good life on the fastball, changeup was outstanding”. Martin Maldonado’s fly ball to left was deep enough to score Davis for a 3-0 lead.

Domingo Santana worked a walk against reliever Justin Grimm and Sardinas loaded the bases with a one-out walk.

Like Davies, Hendricks is a RHP who doesn’t have overpowering stuff.

But Cubs left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup prevented more damage as pinch hitter Hernan Perez grounded to third to close the inning.

Jorge Soler homered for the Cubs only run as Chicago lost for just the second time in the last nine games.

“Kyle pitched really well”, said Maddon, who praised Brewers rookie starter Zach Davies.

The first run on the board was in the fifth inning when Jean Segura scored off a Luis Sardinas left field single.

NOTES: Milwaukee INF Yadiel Rivera made his major league debut on Tuesday as a defensive replacement, becoming the eighth Brewers player to appear in his first big league game this season.

Brewers: RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.31 ERA) will face the Cardinals looking for his first win since September 3. Brewers 1B Adam Lind already has his fifth 20-home run season, and he needs just four RBIs for his second 90-plus RBI season…. “We won the series”.