Anthony Rizzo goes 2-for-3 in win over Brewers

The Brewers, last in the NL Central, announced earlier in the day that Doug Melvin is moving into an advisory role after 13 years as general manager. 500 and open a four-game lead over San Francisco for the second wild-card, while Milwaukee has dropped three of four and nine of its last 13. Veteran right-hander Dan Haren makes his second start for the Cubs since being acquired from Miami at the trade deadline as he looks to improve upon his 2-1 record and 1.85 ERA in five games (four starts) against the Brewers. Chris Coughlan led off with a walk, stole second base (an “out” call was reversed on video replay) and scored on Anthony Rizzo’s double to left-center. It was Chicago’s fifth… It has blown out only 12 times, or about once every five games.

The Cubs (63-48) ate away at the Milwaukee Brewers (48-66) pitching staff Tuesday, taking down their division rivals, 6-3, in front of 37,109 fans at Wrigley Field for the series opener.

Jungmann (6-4) went two and two third innings giving up four runs, two of which were earned, on five hits while waking three and striking out three.

Milwaukee pitcher Taylor Jungmann had some control problems, including hitting Soler with a pitch. La Stella, 26, has been on the disabled since April 14 with a right oblique strain first suffered on April 10 and re-aggravated in May.

The Milwaukee Brewers are a spoiler but they are increasingly hard to predict. The Brewers fell to the Cubs 6-3 on Tuesday for their 7th defeat in the eleven contests. “I think it has a little deception to it. I think we were starting to get some good swings, but by the third time through the lineup he was out of the game”. His batting average, on-base percentage and OPS are all above his career averages. He also made a highlight-reel catch in foul territory down the right field line in the ninth inning.

The two teams play again Wednesday at Chicago.

That’s why Fowler was a happy man walking out of the clubhouse, he did his job and set the tone. He wanted to give Braun two days to rest and saw an opportunity with the Brewers not playing on Monday. He gave up three runs over six innings in a loss to the Cubs on August 1, then dominated in a win over San Diego.