Nico Hoerner hit his first-ever lead-off home run, Christopher Morel secured his third homer in as many games, and Patrick Wisdom also sent one over the fence as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Saturday.
“Our offense hasn’t been very loud recently,” remarked Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “Christopher is on a hot streak right now. Home runs usually come in clusters for most players, and he’s had a strong week.”
This win leveled the Cubs’ first divisional series of the year at one game each. It also marked Counsell’s first series against his former team. Brewers manager Pat Murphy returned to the dugout after serving a two-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Milwaukee narrowed the gap twice late in the game. When Chicago’s Keegan Thompson took over from starter Jameson Taillon, who had pitched six solid innings with the Cubs leading 4-0, he walked Rhys Hoskins. Oliver Dunn then hit a triple, bringing Hoskins home, followed by a homer from Blake Perkins.
After Jackson Chourio singled, Counsell brought in Mark Leiter Jr. Sal Frelick doubled on a ground ball, causing an error when Mike Tauchman’s throw to Dansby Swanson was difficult to handle. Chourio took advantage of the error, scoring and bringing the score to 4-5.
Leiter took care of business in the eighth inning, and Wisdom hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, bringing Michael Busch home from third.
“I just adjusted my swing, aimed to hit the ball to the center of the field, and managed to make contact in a crucial moment,” Wisdom explained. “Every run matters, especially late in the game.”
Héctor Neris entered the game to pitch the ninth inning and walked Blake Perkins. A single by William Contreras drove in Perkins, narrowing the score once again. With the winning run on second base, Tyler Black hit a ground ball that resulted in a forceout, ending the game and securing Neris’ sixth save of the season.
“He’s been in every pressure situation, faced bases loaded situations, pitched in tough road games, and playoff games,” Taillon commented about Neris. “He’s confident, and there’s no panic.”
Taillon allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings. He has now given up one earned run or fewer in his last four starts.
“He’s really composed, and his control is exceptional,” Counsell noted. “I thought he did an excellent job managing the running game today and executing a variety of pitches.”
