Schwarber, Lester lead Cubs over Brewers for 7th win in row

The Cubs, holding the lead for the second NL wild-card spot, completed their first undefeated homestand of at least seven games since 2008.

Thursday afternoon’s 9-2 Cubs win over the Brewers, played in warm temperatures, brilliant sunshine and a joyful full house of 40,799, was punctuated by home runs, a season-high five of them, two from Kyle Schwarber, who now has eight in just 103 at-bats.

Tommy Hunter (3-2) pitched a scoreless 10th to get the win.

“He’s a gamer”, first baseman Anthony Rizzo said of the demoted once-star.

The win put the Cubs 10 games over.

I’ve read several articles on this issue, and I’ve gone back and forth about the starting pitcher I would take in a one-game playoff. Ryan Braun and Khris Davis combined to steal three more bases during that inning, though the last-place Brewers could only manufacture one run from that sequence.

After Maddon came out, the umpiring crew got together to discuss the play and then overturned the call, ruling Rizzo made the grab before falling into the stands.

“He can still (strike out) a guy if (a runner) gets in scoring position”, Maddon said.

“Just incredible effort by an unbelievable player”, Braun said. It’s a really unsafe play, obviously. If his foot were to hit the seat wrong or fall in-between seats, he could have broken an ankle. “I thought Milwaukee’s game plan was a good one, but we were still able to keep them down”. Jake Peavy struck out six in 5 innings, however he was the one starter for the Giants to report an out within the fifth within the collection.

– Dexter Fowler’s two-out walk in the third Wednesday night was his 23rd in 24 games since the All-Star break. 303 slugging percentage. His value had always laid in his ability to be a pure hitter; he led the National League in hits in 2011, with 207. Before he was yanked with one out in the fifth inning, he had allowed four runs on four hits.

This offense started off cold but picked things up with three long balls in the fifth inning. I think we all figured the Cubs to be an improved club this year, but a 90-win team?

“The vibe’s good”, Maddon said.

“I am certain he’s gonna be upset, I expect him to be upset”. “There is no “I” in team”, as the saying go. “But from my perspective, it’s not about being nice”. Prior to the switch to second base, Castro was benched. He didn’t start Tuesday but pinch-hit in the seventh and flew out to center.

“We all know what’s going on here”, Lester said after the game.

Brewers: RHP Tyler Cravy (0-3, 5.40) pitches the matinee finale of the three-game series and will be making his first appearance against Chicago. Cubs left hander Jon Lester (8-8) worked six innings for his third victory in his last four starts.