Ian Happ hit a solo home run, and six Chicago pitchers combined to limit the Milwaukee Brewers to five hits in a 3-1 victory on Monday night.
Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson each had two hits as the Cubs held off the NL Central-leading Brewers, ending their three-game winning streak.
Willy Adames hit his team-leading 16th home run for the Brewers in the eighth inning to score their only run.
Chicago starter Javier Assad struggled with control, walking six batters but allowing only one hit in 3 1/3 innings before leaving due to a right forearm strain. Despite the walks, he kept the Brewers scoreless.
“We had too many walks, but we managed to survive,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Five relievers followed Assad, combining to give up just one run over the remaining 5 2/3 innings. Drew Smyly (3-5) earned the win by pitching effectively in a tight situation, while Hector Neris notched his 14th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
“It was really impressive,” Happ commented. “Smyly came in and shut them down in a big spot. Everyone else followed, throwing strikes and staying ahead in the count.”
Brewers rookie Tobias Myers (6-4) allowed three runs, two of them earned, on six hits over 5 1/3 innings.
“We couldn’t find the key hit tonight,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We showed some good signs, but our inexperience showed.”
Assad faced a tough situation in the third inning when he walked three straight batters with two outs, loading the bases. However, he escaped unscathed when Sal Frelick grounded out.
The Cubs took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on Busch’s RBI single, and they made several key defensive plays throughout the game to support their pitching staff.
The Brewers threatened again in the fourth inning by loading the bases once more but failed to score, allowing the Cubs to maintain their lead.
