Soler powers 5-run first as Lester, Cubs beat Brewers 6-1

It’s true that Arrieta allowed only three hits in 5 2/3 innings and did win his 15th game of the season in Chicago’s 9-6 victory against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field, but the rest of the day wasn’t true to form for Arrieta.

Kansas City Royals’ Alex Gordon (4) is congratulated by teammate Salvador Perez (13) after hitting a grand slam off Minnesota.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Bryant is the only player in Major League Baseball history with three, two-homer, four-hit games in a season before turning 25. The Cubs are 7-2 during the stand and have won 14 of their last 17 at Wrigley Field, where they own the majors’ best home mark at 44-19.

“I don’t feel like this too often, but this was just one of those days when I was really locked in”, Bryant said. “They don’t happen too much”. The Cubs slugger was trying for a little more. Kluber is 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts since a July 3 loss at Toronto. He retired 15 of the first 16 batters.

The Cubs offense bailed out Arrieta, with third baseman Kris Bryant being the driving force. “They pick us up sometimes, we pick them up sometimes”. With two on and only one out, Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson would throw a fastball right down Broadway that Soler would crush 450 feet into the bleachers in left-center to give the Cubs an early 5-0 lead. He has allowed three runs in his last five appearances.

David Ross added a solo home run in the third inning for the Cubs, who won their third straight following a doubleheader sweep of the Brewers on Tuesday. Starting pitchers have a 1.61 ERA in the five-game winning streak.

Arrieta noticed he suddenly lost command of his sinker in the fourth, when, after two outs, he issued two consecutive walks that set up the three-run home run by Nieuwenhuis.

Lester (13-4) was just as good from the mound, though admittedly without his best command.

Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his seventh save with the Cubs.

Bryant got four of his five hits, including both of his home runs, against inside pitches (those on the inner half of the plate or off the inside corner) in Thursday’s win. He was batting.125 in 26 games. He has 78 RBI.

Martinez (11-7) pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing a run while striking out seven.

In Philadelphia, Maikel Franco hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning and the Phillies held off Los Angeles.

Ranking 20th in home runs, Milwaukee has hit 130 this season.

Braun was pulled from the game.

RED SOX 5, ORIOLES 3: Mookie Betts homered twice and drove in five runs, helping the resurgent Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.

BALTIMORE – J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis each hit two of Baltimore’s six home runs, Hyun Soo Kim had a career-high four hits and the Orioles beat rookie Joe Musgrove and the skidding Houston Astros 13-5 on Thursday night.

White Sox 10, Indians 7:Adam Eaton’s ninth-inning grand slam off closer Cody Allen capped a five-run rally and lifted Chicago past the Indians in Cleveland.